Prefer Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms prefer American [pri-fur] / prɪˈfɜr /

    verb (used with object)

    preferred, preferring

    1. to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than.

      to prefer beef to chicken.

      Synonyms: fancy, favor Antonyms: reject

    2. Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.

    3. to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.

      Synonyms: tender, proffer, offer Antonyms: retract

    4. to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote.

      to be preferred for advancement.

    verb (used without object)

    1. to wish or feel inclined.

      For this stir-fry you can skip the cashews if you prefer.

    prefer British / prɪˈfɜː /

    verb

    1. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to like better or value more highly

      I prefer to stand

    2. law to give preference, esp to one creditor over others

    3. (esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment

    4. (tr; often passive) to advance in rank over another or others; promote

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    Usage

    Normally, to is used after prefer and preferable, not than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income at all . However, than or rather than should be used to link infinitives: I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train

    Related Words

    See choose.

    Other Word Forms

    • preferredly adverb
    • preferredness noun
    • preferrer noun
    • unpreferred adjective

    Etymology

    Origin of prefer

    First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preferren, prefer(re), from Anglo-French, Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre “to bear before, set before, prefer,” equivalent to prae- pre- + ferre to bear 1

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    She will avoid "indicating a clear direction for monetary policy if the euro reaches a certain exchange rate", preferring instead to "remain neutral", he added.

    From Barron's

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    She pointed out that the latest data indicates that the personal consumption expenditures price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, rose 2.9% year over year in December.

    From Barron's

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    He likes rehearsing, although he prefers not to fully commit to something until he’s in front of the camera.

    From Los Angeles Times

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    If you prefer to work with experts who don’t also sell the cure, hire a consulting arborist to do a full evaluation and provide a list of action items.

    From The Wall Street Journal

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    Except for meals, when I had no choice but to come to the dining room and eat at my assigned table with my assigned tablemates, I preferred to stay in my room.

    From Literature

    Related Words

    • adopt
    • choose
    • go for
    • pick
    • promote
    • put
    • select
    • suggest
    • wish

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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