preferably
adverb
pref·er·a·bly
ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-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 Kasper
Examples of preferably in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another activity that has been shown to reduce stress is taking a walk, preferably out in nature.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
After decades of grinding, most people aspire to one day be able to kick up their feet (preferably at a holiday home by the beach) and retire.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
Cover the meat with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
Instead, Hunt advises parents to stick to term life, preferably 20 years or less.
—Becky Batcha and Hiranmayi Srinivasan, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Four 6-oz. fillets mild white fish, preferably haddock, pollock, or sea bream
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups whole milk
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp.
—Simone Bouhour, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Then, wake up refreshed and start the day with a jog or power walk along the four-mile-long Buckeye Lake Dam Walking & Biking Trail, preferably with a beverage from Millersport Coffee.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
Beijing asserts that Taiwan must accept unification, preferably peacefully, but under armed force if Chinese leaders decide that is necessary.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Eating at home—but preferably something ordered online.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024
Andrea Kane, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
After decades of grinding, most people aspire to one day be able to kick up their feet (preferably at a holiday home by the beach) and retire.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
Cover the meat with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
Instead, Hunt advises parents to stick to term life, preferably 20 years or less.
—Becky Batcha and Hiranmayi Srinivasan, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Four 6-oz. fillets mild white fish, preferably haddock, pollock, or sea bream
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups whole milk
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp.
—Simone Bouhour, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Then, wake up refreshed and start the day with a jog or power walk along the four-mile-long Buckeye Lake Dam Walking & Biking Trail, preferably with a beverage from Millersport Coffee.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
Beijing asserts that Taiwan must accept unification, preferably peacefully, but under armed force if Chinese leaders decide that is necessary.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Eating at home—but preferably something ordered online.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preferably.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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