Promotion:
- This is the more general term for moving to a higher position or rank within a hierarchy.
- It focuses on the official advancement in job title, responsibilities, and often, salary.
- Promotion can be based on merit, seniority, or a combination of factors.
Preferment:
- This word implies a stronger element of favoritism or advantage. Someone is given preference over others for a promotion or advancement.
- It suggests that the person receiving preferment might not necessarily be the most qualified, but may have some kind of influence or special connection.
- Preferment can have a slightly negative connotation, implying that fairness wasn’t a major factor in the advancement.
Summary
| Term | Implication | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Official advancement | Sarah received a promotion to manager after years of excellent performance. |
| Preferment | Advancement due to favoritism | The CEO’s nephew seemed to get preferential treatment and was promoted despite limited experience. |
Supplementary information
-
Use:
- “Promotion” is much more common in everyday speech.
- “Preferment” has a more formal tone and is less frequently used.
-
Context:
- The context can sometimes make the difference clearer.
- Even if someone was objectively the most qualified, getting promoted quickly could be seen as preferential treatment compared to the usual process.