preferentially

«preferentially» in Mova's school dictionary: In a way that gives one person or thing better treatment… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

adverb (formal)

meaning for a pupil

1) (formal) In a way that gives one person or thing better treatment than others: «Members are served preferentially.» tree →

2) (science, formal) More often or more strongly than other choices: «Bees preferentially visit blue flowers.» tree →

sense 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 →
• The plant preferentially grows towards the light. tree →
• Water preferentially flows down the steepest slope. tree →
• It is unfair if the teacher marks friends preferentially. tree →
• Mosquitoes preferentially bite some people more than others. tree →
• Older passengers are seated preferentially on this bus. tree →

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».

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «preferentially» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.