- [uncountable, singular] a greater interest in or desire for somebody/something than somebody/something else
- It's a matter of personal preference.
- I can't say that I have any particular preference.
- preference for somebody/something Many people expressed a strong preference for the original plan.
- Let's make a list of possible speakers, in order of preference.
Extra ExamplesTopics Preferences and decisionsb2- He has not expressed a preference as to which school he wants to go to.
- I travel by plane, for preference.
- Learners show a preference for one learning style over others.
- My first preference is for the applicant from Hong Kong.
- Older people tend to express a preference for dark chocolate.
- discrimination based on race, religion, gender or sexual preference
- the government's preference for tax cuts over greater public spending
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- definite
- marked
- …
- have
- demonstrate
- display
- …
- for preference
- in preference to
- preference as to
- …
- in order of preference
- [countable] a thing that is liked better or best
- a study of consumer preferences
Synonyms choicechoicefavourite ▪ preference ▪ selection ▪ pickThese are all words for a person or thing that is chosen, or that is liked more than others.choice a person or thing that is chosen:- She’s the obvious choice for the job.
- Which one’s your favourite?
- Tastes and preferences vary from individual to individual.
- A selection of reader’s comments are published below.
- She was his pick for best actress.
- somebody’s choice/favourite/pick for something
- somebody’s choice/selection/pick as something
- an obvious choice/favourite/selection
- a(n) excellent/good/popular/fine choice/selection
Extra Examples- His policy preferences are pretty centrist.
- She was happy to arrange her schedule to suit their preferences.
- changing preferences in furniture styles
- designs that reflect their individual preferences
- modern children's food preferences
- their preferences regarding websites
- Tastes and preferences vary from individual to individual.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- definite
- marked
- …
- have
- demonstrate
- display
- …
- for preference
- in preference to
- preference as to
- …
- in order of preference
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘promotion’): from Old French, from medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferre ‘carry in front’, from prae ‘before’ + ferre ‘to bear, carry’.
Idioms
See preference in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee preference in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishgive (a) preference to somebody/something
- to treat somebody/something in a way that gives them an advantage over other people or things
- Preference will be given to graduates of this university.
in preference to somebody/something
- rather than somebody/something
- She was chosen in preference to her sister.
- They bought French planes in preference to British ones.
Check pronunciation:
preference