preferential

 
Pronunciation: /ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃ(ə)l/

adjective

  • of or involving preference or partiality; constituting a favour or privilege: preferential interest rates may be offered to employees preferential trade terms
  • (of voting or an election) in which the voter puts candidates in order of preference.
  • (of a creditor) having a claim on the receipt of payment from a debtor which will be met before those of other creditors.

Derivatives

preferentially

adverb

Origin:

mid 19th century: from preference, on the pattern of differential