adjective
- of, relating to, or of the nature of preference: preferential policies.
- showing or giving preference: a preferential hiring system.
- receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.
adjective
- showing or resulting from preference
- giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade
adj.1805, from Medieval Latin preferentia, from Latin praeferre (see prefer) + -al (1).