preferably
adverb
pref·er·a·bly
ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-blē 
also pri-ˈfər-ə-blē
: by choice or preference
—used to indicate what is wanted or preferred
The work should be done soon, preferably by the end of the week.
Applicants should hold a college degree, preferably with teaching experience.
Water thoroughly during the coolest time of day (preferably early morning), then allow soil to dry completely … before watering again.—
Michael MacCaskey
Michael MacCaskeyMound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.—Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Lynne Rossetto KasperExamples of preferably in a Sentence
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
Recent Examples on the Web
Choose healthy plants, preferably ones with round leaves, such as jade plants.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Signing an attacker — preferably with versatility and the ability to play across the front line, like Gordon, rather than merely an out-and-out left-winger — is of the utmost priority, alongside bringing in a new No 1.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
Everyone is either a performer — preferably a star — or an audience member.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
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Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Signing an attacker — preferably with versatility and the ability to play across the front line, like Gordon, rather than merely an out-and-out left-winger — is of the utmost priority, alongside bringing in a new No 1.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 June 2026
Everyone is either a performer — preferably a star — or an audience member.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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