All words

preference

Meaning

The act of regarding something as more desirable or suitable than another, or a feeling of liking one thing better than another.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

He always chose the window seat, a clear preference for watching the world go by. It wasn't just about the view; it was a feeling of comfort, of liking it more than any other spot.

She always picked the fuzzy blue blanket, even though the red one was just as warm. It wasn't a rule, but her clear preference for the soft texture over the smooth fabric was obvious. She’d sigh if someone tried to hand her the other.

She always had a strong preference for the worn, leather-bound books over the shiny new ones. The smell of old paper and the feel of the cracked spine just felt right, like a warm hug from a memory.

My cat's strong preference for tuna over salmon is hilarious. He sniffs the salmon, wrinkles his nose like it's a stinky sock, then dives into the tuna like it's solid gold. It's a clear liking for one fishy treat over another!

Barry's strong preference for pickled onions over plain ones made his lunch sandwich a truly bizarre creation. He insisted the tangy pop was far superior, a feeling he couldn't quite explain, even to his pet dust bunny, Bartholomew.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

Sarah always chose the window seat. It wasn't just about the view; she simply had a strong preference for it, feeling more relaxed there than anywhere else on the bus.

After hours of sifting through ancient fungal spores for classification, Elara felt a distinct preference for the velvety puffballs. The velvety texture, their mild earthy scent, just made them more appealing than the brittle, powdery specimens. She liked those better.

She always picked the tarnished brass astrolabe over the polished silver sextant. It wasn't about cost; it was a strong preference for the worn metal's history, feeling like holding ancient journeys in her hands rather than sterile precision.

My cat's strong preference for tuna over chicken is legendary. He'll dramatically ignore perfectly good kibble, then perform acrobatic leaps for a single flake of fish. It's a clear act of regarding tuna as far more desirable, a feeling of liking that particular canned delight much, much better.

My cat's undeniable preference for tuna-flavored kibble over salmon-flavored kibble is a daily opera. He'll sniff, turn his nose up at salmon, and then dramatically paw at the tuna bag, conveying his deep-seated, utterly ridiculous, fishy liking.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

After trying both, her preference for the window seat was clear. The sunlight felt warmer there, and she enjoyed the view of the bustling street, finding it more appealing than the quiet aisle.

She always showed a clear preference for the rough, unvarnished lumber when building her intricate birdhouses. Despite the smoother, more polished wood available, she found the tactile quality of the coarser grain far more appealing for her avian creations.

After weeks spent cataloging fungal spores from the subterranean caverns, she found herself developing a distinct preference for the bioluminescent varieties. Their eerie glow offered a comforting contrast to the oppressive darkness, a small, vibrant beacon in the vast, silent earth.

My dog's undeniable preference for squeaky toys over actual food baffles me. He'll ignore a prime rib, opting instead for a rubber chicken's demise. This curious preference suggests his auditory palate is far more refined than his gustatory one.

My preference for lukewarm, over-mashed sardines, served atop a bed of desiccated kale, is a constant source of bewilderment for my family. They simply cannot fathom why anyone would willingly choose such a culinary abomination over, say, a perfectly grilled unicorn steak. Their confusion is palpable.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Given the immutable circumstances, her inherent preference for the tranquil meadow over the boisterous marketplace became acutely apparent. The cacophony of vendors and patrons grated on her sensibilities, while the verdant expanse offered a profound sense of solace, a palpable comfort she invariably sought.

Given the scarcity of resources, every operative’s ration allocation is based on a strict tactical preference for sustenance that maximizes energy expenditure. Lieutenant Anya, whose role demands prolonged nocturnal vigils, has a marked preference for nutrient paste enriched with stimulants, finding its stark utility more efficacious than the bland, protein-heavy bars favored by her ground team.

The chronometer's incessant *tick* grates on Elias’s nerves. He has a distinct preference for the hushed hum of the bioluminescent fungi in his workshop, finding the mechanical noise an egregious affront to his concentration, unlike the organism's serene glow.

My *preference* for artisanal pickled gherkins over common dill spears was a source of much consternation at Aunt Mildred's potluck. While others gravitated towards the pedestrian, my discerning palate insisted on the piquant, the vinegary, the *superior* brined cucumber. It was a matter of gustatory enlightenment, really.

My sommelier's *preference* for fermented yak's milk over aged badger tears baffled the discerning palates at the Gloomhaven Grotto. He argued the bovine brew offered a more "terrestrial bouquet," a notion I found utterly preposterous, given my profound liking for the latter's faintly sulfuric notes.

Difficulty

Basic — Common words most learners already know.

Appears in

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