Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Showing or giving an advantage to a particular person, group, or thing: "Preferential" describes a policy, treatment, or system that favors one party over others, often in an unfair or biased way.
   • Involving or using a preference: It can refer to a choice or selection that prioritizes one option based on prior liking or advantage.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The company was accused of giving preferential treatment to employees from certain universities.
  • The two countries signed a trade agreement with preferential tariff rates for key goods.
  • As a senior member, he had preferential access to the club's facilities.

Advanced Usage

• "Preferential creditor": In law and finance, a creditor whose claim must be paid before the claims of other creditors if a debtor goes bankrupt.

  • The tax authorities are often considered preferential creditors.

• "Preferential voting": An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.

  • The election used a preferential voting system to ensure the winner had broad support.

Variants and Related Words

• Preferentially (adverb): In a way that gives an advantage or shows preference.

  • Resources were allocated preferentially to the research department.

• Preference (noun): A greater liking for one alternative over another or others.

  • My preference is for tea over coffee.

Synonyms

• Advantageous: Involving or creating favorable circumstances.
• Favorable: Expressing approval or giving an advantage.
• Discriminatory (in the sense of showing bias): Making or showing an unfair distinction.

Related Phrases

• Preferential treatment: The act of treating one person or group better than others.

  • The whistleblower alleged preferential treatment in the promotion process.

• Preferential tariff/duty: A reduced rate of tax imposed on imports from a particular country, as part of a trade agreement.

  • Goods imported under the treaty are subject to a preferential duty.

Related Idioms

• "Get preferential treatment": To receive advantages or better treatment than others.
  • Some customers seem to get preferential treatment because they spend more money.

Adjective

1. manifesting partiality
   • a discriminatory tax
   • preferential tariff rates
   • preferential treatment
   • a preferential shop gives priority or advantage to union members in hiring or promoting