preferably

/ˈpɹɛf.ɹəˌbli/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner.

Adverb

Examples

The nondegerming system grinds corn, preferably white dent corn, into meal with little, if any, separation of germ.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “preferably” mean?

In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner.

Is “preferably” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.