Syntaxiom

preferably

/ˈpɹɛfɝəbɫi/, /ˈpɹɛfɹəbɫi/ adv B2 ✓

In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner.

Word Origin Preferably comes from 'prefer', which is Latin 'prae-' (before) and 'ferre' (to carry) — literally 'to carry before', to place something ahead of others. The -able and -ly suffixes turn it into an adverb meaning 'in a way that is more desirable'. The root 'ferre' is everywhere: refer (carry back), transfer (carry across), offer (carry to), suffer (carry under). So preferably means carrying one option before another.

adv In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner. B2 ✓

Please submit your application by Friday, preferably before 5 PM.

(副词) 优先；最好；为宜 【优先地】

请于周五前提交申请，最好在下午5点之前。

(adverbio) preferentemente; preferiblemente; de preferencia; a ser posible [Por preferencia; por elección; de manera preferible.]

Por favor, envíe su solicitud antes del viernes, **preferentemente** antes de las 5 p. m.

(adverbe) de préférence; plutôt; préférablement [De préférence ; par choix plutôt que par contrainte.]

Veuillez soumettre votre candidature avant vendredi, de préférence avant 17 heures.

(Adverb) vorzugsweise; am liebsten; bevorzugt [Auf eine Weise, die bevorzugt wird; wenn möglich; in einer vorzugswürdigen Art und Weise.]

Bitte reichen Sie Ihre Bewerbung bis Freitag ein, **preferably** vor 17 Uhr.

(副詞) できれば、望ましくは。

金曜日までに申請書を提出してください。可能であれば午後5時前が望ましいです。

(advérbio) de preferência; preferencialmente; preferivelmente [De preferência; por escolha; de maneira preferível.]

Por favor, envie sua inscrição até sexta-feira, de preferência antes das 17h.

Synonyms: rather sooner instead by choice ideally if possible preferentially Antonyms: unwillingly reluctantly against one's wishes forcibly
Word parts: pre + fer + able + ly

Common collocations

should verb least adv white adj early adv fresh adj preferably adv thick adj fruit subst near prep spring subst writing subst background subst

Related words

prefer preference preferential preferment fertile

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