# preference

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹ(ə)ns/ · frequency rank #6,000

## Definitions
1. The selection of one thing or person over others (with the main adposition being "for" in relation to the thing or person, but possibly also "of")
2. The option to so select, and the one selected.
3. The state of being preferred over others.
4. A strong liking or personal valuation.
5. A preferential bias; partiality; discrimination.

## Etymology
From Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia. Doublet of preferans. Morphologically prefer + -ence.

## Easily confused with
- **precedence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precedence-vs-preference)

## Common misspellings (16)
`perference`, `ppreference`, `preefrence`, `prefeernce`, `preferance`, `preferecne`, `preferencce`, `preferenec`, `preferennce`, `prefernece`, `preferrence`, `prefference`, `prefreence`, `prfeerence`, `prreference`, `rpeference`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/preference