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 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
Your best bet is to use machines affiliated with major international banks—think HSBC, Barclays, Santander—preferably during business hours in case something goes wrong (for example, your card gets stuck in the machine).
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Apr. 2025
Image Piffle is better light than heavy, and preferably without a moral.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Nominees for the annual John Gassner Award — for a new American play, preferably by a new playwright — are: Becoming Eve by Emil Weinstein; Good Night, and Good Luck by George Clooney and Grant Heslov; Pre-Existing Condition by Marin Ireland; Still by Lia Romeo; and Walden by Amy Berryman.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Delay Mowing Wait at least two weeks, preferably longer, until the side is established before mowing.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
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Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Apr. 2025
Image Piffle is better light than heavy, and preferably without a moral.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Nominees for the annual John Gassner Award — for a new American play, preferably by a new playwright — are: Becoming Eve by Emil Weinstein; Good Night, and Good Luck by George Clooney and Grant Heslov; Pre-Existing Condition by Marin Ireland; Still by Lia Romeo; and Walden by Amy Berryman.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Delay Mowing Wait at least two weeks, preferably longer, until the side is established before mowing.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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