preferably
adverb
pref·er·a·bly
ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-blē 
: by choice or preference
—used to indicate what is wanted or preferred
The work should be done soon, preferably by the end of the week.
Applicants should hold a college degree, preferably with teaching experience.
Water thoroughly during the coolest time of day (preferably early morning), then allow soil to dry completely … before watering again.—
Michael MacCaskey
Michael MacCaskeyMound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.—Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Examples of preferably in a Sentence
I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field
Recent Examples on the Web
Other considerations include possible upgrades to a home’s main electrical service panel, mainly on older homes, and adequate positioning of a roof, preferably facing south, Keller said.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024
How to Make Oleo-Saccharum Use a vegetable peeler to remove large strips of peel from an unwaxed (preferably organic) lemon, avoiding the pith (the white part of the lemon between the flesh and skin).
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for preferably 
Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2024
How to Make Oleo-Saccharum Use a vegetable peeler to remove large strips of peel from an unwaxed (preferably organic) lemon, avoiding the pith (the white part of the lemon between the flesh and skin).
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for preferably
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preferably.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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