Home › Words › P › prefermentpreferment/pɹɪˈfəːmənt/preferment means prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product.preferment is pronounced /pɹɪˈfəːmənt/.EtymologyFrom Middle English preferment, preferrement, prefferment; equivalent to prefer + -ment.nounPrior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product.The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.).e.g.“But consider—you need not be afraid of delegating power to me. I am no young lady on her preferment. Married women, you know, may be safely authorised.” — 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume III, chapter 6:Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion.A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige.The fact of preferring something; preference.A mixture of flour, water and yeast that is allowed to ferment prior to another baking processDefinitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.forepayment 63% match — payment made in advance vs preferment →preoption 61% match — The right of first choice; the right or ability to choose something before others. vs preferment →foreprize 60% match — To assume, take for granted; to provide for beforehand; to anticipate. vs preferment →foregrant 59% match — A grant obtained or given in advance. vs preferment →predeposition 59% match — The act of depositing something in advance. vs preferment →prefinancing 59% match — Finance provided in advance. vs preferment →prefidence 58% match — The quality or state of being prefident. vs preferment →prefinance 58% match — To finance in advance. vs preferment →