Preferences Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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preferences

[หˆprษ›f(ษ™)rษ™nsษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

personalization

A set of choices that reflect a person's likes and dislikes.

Synonyms

choices, options, settings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Use when talking about what someone likes or dislikes, often in a general or personal context.

  • She has strong preferences when it comes to food.
  • His music preferences vary from classical to rock.
choices

Appropriate when discussing decisions or selections that can be made from a set of possibilities.

  • He made some bad choices in his career.
  • You have several choices for breakfast.
options

Suitable for referring to available possibilities or alternatives, often in a practical or strategic context.

  • You have two options: continue working here or look for a new job.
  • This software offers many options for customization.
settings

Utilized in the context of configuring or adjusting configurations for devices, software, or environments.

  • Please adjust the brightness settings on your phone.
  • You can change your privacy settings in the app.

Examples of usage

  • Customizing your preferences on social media platforms.
  • Setting your preferences for email notifications.
  • The app allows users to adjust their preferences for a personalized experience.
Context #2 | Noun

consumer behavior

The predetermined or desired choice of a consumer when making a purchase decision.

Synonyms

desires, inclinations, tastes.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Use this word to describe what someone likes more in a general or consistent way, often in the context of choices or options.

  • Her preferences in music are varied, but she loves classical the most
  • My food preferences lean towards spicy dishes
tastes

This word is best used to describe someone's personal likes and dislikes, particularly in areas like food, art, and fashion.

  • She has eclectic tastes in music, enjoying everything from jazz to hip hop
  • His tastes in fashion are always on trend
desires

This word describes strong wants or wishes, often emotional or deep-seated, and sometimes could be viewed negatively if the desire is inappropriate.

  • He has a strong desire to travel the world
  • She expressed her desire for a more fulfilling career
inclinations

Use this word for tendencies or natural leanings towards something, usually based on someoneโ€™s character or habits.

  • Her inclinations towards art were evident from a young age
  • Despite his inclinations to resist, he decided to go along with the plan

Examples of usage

  • Understanding consumer preferences helps businesses tailor their products.
  • The company conducted a survey to find out the preferences of their target market.
Context #3 | Noun

computing

A setting or option that can be adjusted to suit the user's requirements.

Synonyms

configurations, options, settings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Typically used when referring to a person's individual choices or tastes in a variety of situations, such as in apps, services, or daily life.

  • She adjusted her preferences to receive fewer email notifications.
  • My coffee preferences include lots of milk and no sugar.
settings

Generally used in the context of controls or adjustments that one can make on a device, application, or system to modify its operation or appearance.

  • He checked the sound settings on his phone to make sure it was on silent.
  • The default settings worked perfectly for her.
configurations

Used more frequently in technical contexts, especially with hardware and software, to describe the specific setup or arrangement of systems and components.

  • The network configurations need to be updated for the new server.
  • He spent hours completing the software configurations for his project.
options

Often used to refer to different choices or alternatives available in a given situation. Can be used in both technical and everyday contexts.

  • She reviewed all the options before making a decision.
  • The software provides several options for customization.

Examples of usage

  • Changing the display preferences on your computer.
  • Customizing font size is one of the preferences in the application.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often choose things based on what makes them feel happy. This means what you prefer can change depending on your mood.
  • Preferences can be influenced by early experiences; for instance, childhood toys can shape future likes and dislikes.
  • Studies show that when you have too many options, you might feel overwhelmed and less satisfied with your final choice.

Cultural Significance

  • Different cultures have unique preferences for food, music, and art, which reflect their values and history.
  • In some countries, social interactions may prioritize group preferences over individual choices, emphasizing community over self.
  • Understanding local preferences in diets can enhance travel experiences and foster deeper connections with communities.

Economics

  • Consumer preferences are a key factor in marketing; businesses study these to create products that people want to buy.
  • The concept of 'revealed preferences' helps economists understand people's choices based on their purchasing behavior rather than what they say they want.
  • Market trends often shift based on changes in societal preferences, such as the growing demand for eco-friendly products.

Technology

  • Personalization in technology relies heavily on user preferences, allowing platforms to tailor experiences like news feeds or movie recommendations.
  • Apps analyze preferences through data collecting, making future choices feel more intuitive for the user.
  • Consumer preference for convenience has led to a rise in subscription services and on-demand offerings across various industries.

Linguistics

  • Languages allow for expressions of preference, like using 'prefer' to indicate a stronger choice over alternatives.
  • In some languages, the way preference is expressed can show social status or politeness, such as using formal vs. informal speech.
  • The use of modifiers in language, like 'I really like,' can help emphasize preferences and make them more persuasive.

Origin of 'preferences'

The word 'preferences' originated from the Latin word 'praefฤ“rre', which means 'to carry in front, prefer'. The concept of preferences has been integral to human decision-making and personalization throughout history. In the modern context, preferences play a crucial role in consumer behavior, user experience design, and customization options in various software applications.


See also: prefer, preferably, preference, preferred, preferring.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,629 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.