preference

preference — noun

1. a stronger liking for one person, thing, or plan than for another, or the option

1.nounB2
Definition

a stronger liking for one person, thing, or plan than for another, or the option you would choose first

Example

Maya showed a clear preference for tea over sweet bottled drinks.

pattern: preference for + noun over + noun

On rainy weekends, Ben's preference is staying home with old films.

pattern: preference is + -ing

Common collocations
  • clear preference for
  • strong preference for
  • personal preference
  • first preference
Synonyms
  • liking

    a simpler everyday word for enjoying someone or something

  • taste

    often refers to personal style in food, art, clothes, or design

  • fondness

    warmer and more emotional, especially about people or familiar things

  • bias

    suggests unfairness or a fixed opinion rather than a neutral personal choice

Antonyms
  • dislike

    means not liking something rather than liking it best

  • aversion

    a much stronger negative feeling

  • indifference

    shows that no special liking is felt either way

Grammar Patterns

have a preference for + noun

show a preference for + noun

first preference

Usage Note

Often appears with for when naming what someone likes more. Distinguish from noun/2, where preference is an advantage given by a rule, institution, or decision rather than a personal liking.

Common Mistakes

My preference between coffee is tea.
My preference is tea.' / 'I have a preference for tea over coffee.
use 'between' for the choices, not after 'preference' alone.
She has preference of quiet rooms.
She has a preference for quiet rooms.
the usual preposition here is 'for'.

2. an arrangement or decision that places one person, group, or thing ahead of othe

2.noun
Definition

an arrangement or decision that places one person, group, or thing ahead of others

Example

The school gives preference to children who live near campus.

pattern: give preference to + noun

In hiring, the factory gave preference to workers with repair skills.

Common collocations
  • give preference to
  • show preference for
  • be given preference
  • preference over
Synonyms
  • priority

    often means being dealt with first, especially in time or order

  • advantage

    broader and not always created by an official rule

  • favoritism

    usually negative and suggests unfair special treatment

Antonyms
  • equality

    means people or groups are treated the same

  • neutrality

    suggests no side receives special support

Grammar Patterns

give preference to + noun

show preference for + noun

be given preference

Usage Note

Usually appears with give or show and with to, for, or over. Subject is often an institution, rule, or procedure; compare noun/1 for private likes and tastes.

Common Mistakes

The rule preferred local students.
The rule gave preference to local students.
this noun sense describes an advantage created by a policy or decision.
Older patients were given preference than younger ones.
Older patients were given preference over younger ones.
use 'over' when comparing the group receiving the advantage.

3. used in the phrase in preference to to mean instead of someone or something beca

3.noun
Definition

used in the phrase in preference to to mean instead of someone or something because it seems better liked or more suitable

Example

We bought the smaller tent in preference to the heavier one.

fixed phrase: in preference to + noun

Rosa walks to work in preference to waiting for the late bus.

fixed phrase: in preference to + -ing

Common collocations
  • in preference to
Synonyms
  • rather than

    the most common modern equivalent

  • instead of

    more neutral and common in everyday speech

  • in place of

    slightly more formal and often focuses on replacement

Grammar Patterns

in preference to + noun

in preference to + -ing

Usage Note

Mostly found in the fixed phrase in preference to. Distinguish from noun/1, which names the liking itself; noun/3 focuses on the option chosen instead of another one.

Common Mistakes

We stayed home in preference than driving.
We stayed home in preference to driving.
the fixed phrase uses 'to', not 'than'.
Idioms

give (a) preference to somebody/something

idiom

To choose or treat someone or something as more important than others.

The committee gave preference to applicants with more experience.

Why did the manager give preference to Brian over Maya?

in preference to somebody/something

idiom

Instead of choosing or doing someone or something else.

Sara chose the red dress in preference to the blue one.

They hired Diego in preference to other candidates.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, preference points to liking one thing more than another and often appears when two or more options are compared. Liking is broader and more everyday; it can simply mean enjoyment without a clear comparison. Taste often refers to personal style in food, clothes, music, or design. Choice is different because it names the act or result of deciding, not the feeling behind it. Bias can overlap with preference, but it often suggests unfair judgment or a one-sided view. You might say Maya has a preference for tea, Grandpa has simple taste in clothes, and the judge must avoid bias.

preference ↗liking ↗taste ↗choice ↗bias ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • show a preference for
  • give preference to
  • in preference to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Preference comes from prefer plus the noun ending -ence. Prefer goes back to a Latin verb meaning "carry before" or "put before." That older image developed into the idea of placing one person or thing ahead of another, which is still the central meaning of preference today.