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# preferentially

adverb (formal)

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

## Everyday

1. (formal) In a way that gives one person or thing better treatment than others: «Members are served preferentially.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#m1)
2. (science, formal) More often or more strongly than other choices: «Bees preferentially visit blue flowers.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science reports it means «more likely to» or «by choice». In fairness and rules talk it warns that someone gets special treatment. Phrases: «treated preferentially», «preferentially chosen», «preferentially absorb».

### Examples

- Some shops treat loyal customers preferentially. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x1)
- The plant preferentially grows towards the light. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x2)
- Water preferentially flows down the steepest slope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x3)
- It is unfair if the teacher marks friends preferentially. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x4)
- Mosquitoes preferentially bite some people more than others. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x5)
- Older passengers are seated preferentially on this bus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/preferentially/#x6)

### Note

Formal and long; in everyday talk say «by choice», «more often» or «first». Related: prefer, preference, preferential (adjective: preferential treatment). Not the same as «preferably», which means «if possible».

## On Mova

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