English

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

From preferable +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

edit

IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛfɹəˌbli/, /pɹəˈfɜːɹəˌbli/

Adverb

edit

preferably (comparative more preferably, superlative most preferably)

  1. In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner.
    • 2000, Karel Kulp, Handbook of Cereal Science and Technology, Revised and Expanded, page 48:
      The nondegerming system grinds corn, preferably white dent corn, into meal with little, if any, separation of germ.
    • 2007 May 27, Douglas Martin, “Kawika Kapahulehua Dies; Hawaiian Seafarer Was 76”, in The New York Times[1]:
      He felt having a Micronesian navigator meant he needed a pureblooded Polynesian, preferably a Hawaiian, as captain.

Synonyms

edit

Translations

edit

References

edit