preference

B1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹ(ə)ns/ See IPA manual

Freq #14433

Meanings

1

noun
A greater liking for one thing over another.

She has a strong preference for crisp white wines.
2

noun
A choice made or available among several options, often in settings.

Can I keep my preferences when I upgrade to the new version of the app?
3

noun
Special favor or advantage given to one person or thing over others.

The policy gives preference to local suppliers in trade deals.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a greater liking for one... taste

More forechoice

Word family

Forms preferences

Derived forms depreferencedispreferenceenantiopreferenceisopreferencenonpreferencephotopreferencepreferendumstereopreferencesubpreferencethermopreference

Etymology

From Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia. Doublet of preferans. Morphologically prefer + -ence.

*bʰer- Proto-Indo-European preference Middle French

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# preference

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹ(ə)ns/
**Frequency rank:** 14433

## Meanings
1. A greater liking for one thing over another.
2. A choice made or available among several options, often in settings.
3. Special favor or advantage given to one person or thing over others.

## Examples
- She has a strong preference for crisp white wines.
- Can I keep my preferences when I upgrade to the new version of the app?
- The policy gives preference to local suppliers in trade deals.

## Synonyms
- forechoice

## Derived Forms
- depreference
- dispreference
- enantiopreference
- isopreference
- nonpreference
- photopreference
- preferendum
- stereopreference
- subpreference
- thermopreference

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *bʰer-
- Root: preference

## Etymology
From Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia. Doublet of preferans. Morphologically prefer + -ence.

## AI Etymology
Preference comes from Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia. Doublet of preferans. Morphologically prefer + -ence. The historical chain includes *bʰer- (Proto-Indo-European), preference (Middle French). In present-day English it covers a greater liking for one thing over another, a choice made or available among several options, often in settings, and special favor or advantage given to one person or thing over others. The wider family includes derived forms such as depreference, dispreference, enantiopreference, isopreference, nonpreference.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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