pref ‧ e ‧ rence W3 /ˈpref ə rəns/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adverb : ↑ preferably , ↑ preferentially ; adjective : ↑ preferable , ↑ preferential ; verb : ↑ prefer ; noun : ↑ preference ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] if you have a preference for something, you like it more than another thing and will choose it if you can ⇨ prefer :
Do you have a colour preference?
preference for
a cultural preference for boy babies
Parents may be able to express a preference as to the school their child will attend.
The amount of sugar you add will depend on personal preference.
Many elderly people expressed a strong preference to live in their own homes.
in preference to something (=rather than something)
Use clear English in preference to technical language.
2 . [uncountable and countable] when someone is treated more favourably than other people, often when he or she has been treated unfairly in the past:
Racial preferences are a way to make up for years of discrimination against minorities.
give/show preference (to somebody)
In allocating housing, preference is given to families with young children.
3 . sexual preference someone’s sexual preference is whether they want to have sex with men or women
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have a preference
Do you have a preference for red or white wine?
▪ express a preference
He avoided expressing a preference for any of the remaining Democratic candidates.
▪ show a preference
Females showed a preference for long-tailed males.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + preference
▪ a strong preference
In some countries, there is still a strong preference for sons.
▪ a clear preference
There was a clear preference amongst the staff for this style of leadership.
▪ a marked preference (=strong and clear)
The animals have a marked preference for woodland.
▪ a personal preference
My personal preference is to eat meat only once or twice a week.
▪ individual preferences
This partnership can take a variety of forms, depending on individual preferences.
▪ consumer preferences
Information about local consumer preferences can be used by a manufacturer's sales force.
▪ food preferences
Very young children may have clear food preferences.
■ phrases
▪ in order of preference
Please list your choice of colleges in order of preference.
▪ be a matter of personal preference (=be something that you can choose, according to what you like)
Which one you decide to buy is just a matter of personal preference.