preference
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
preferences
plural
preferences
Britannica Dictionary definition of PREFERENCE
1
:
a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another person or thing
[count]
-
Car buyers have recently shown a growing/strong preference for smaller vehicles.
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When it comes to music, everyone has their own preferences.
[noncount]
-
Some people like small cars and some people like big cars. It's a matter of personal preference.
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She listed her favorite restaurants in order of preference.
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He has tried not to show preference in giving out jobs.
2
[noncount]
:
an advantage that is given to some people or things and not to others
-
The policy of the school is to give preference to minority candidates.
3
[count]
:
something that is liked or wanted more than another thing
:
something that is preferred
-
We could drive to New York, but my (personal) preference is to go by train. [=I would prefer to go by train]
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“We could go to an Italian or Chinese restaurant tonight. What's your preference?” “Either one is fine. I don't have a preference.”
4
offensive
:
the sexual feelings that a person has
:
a person's identity as homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, etc.
[count]
-
people with different (sexual) preferences [=orientations]
[noncount]
-
The company claims it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual preference.
◊ This use of the word preference is widely considered offensive because it implies that a person can choose who they are sexually or romantically attracted to. The word orientation is preferred.
in preference to
:
instead of (something or someone)
:
rather than (something or someone)
-
They chose her in preference to me.
