[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/preferably/)

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# preferably

adverb

«preferably» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. If possible; it would be better if: «Come early, preferably before nine.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#m1)
2. In a way that is chosen or liked more than other ways. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#m2)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and instructions it marks the best choice when there are several: «Use a pencil, preferably a sharp one.» In recipes and safety notes it tells you what is ideal but not required. Phrases: «preferably not», «preferably before», «preferably in».

### Examples

- Bring a drink, preferably water, not fizzy pop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x1)
- Write your answer in pen, preferably black. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x2)
- We need a helper, preferably someone tall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x3)
- Go to bed early, preferably by eight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x4)
- Keep the medicine somewhere cool, preferably in the fridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x5)
- Plant the seeds in spring, preferably on a dry day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x6)
- «Shall I bring my brother?» «Preferably not.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/#x7)

### Note

Spelling: preferably (one r after the f, then -ably). Stress on the first syllable: PREF-er-a-bly. It shows a wish, not a rule: something preferable is better, not must-have. Related: prefer, preference, preferable.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «preferably» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferably/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«preferably» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/preferably.html) on Mova free.