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.

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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

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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

In 1954, at the age of 16, my dad was living with my grandfather in the Bronx when he was diagnosed with Hansen’s Disease, the preferred designation for leprosy.

From Salon

Strategy on Monday also said it established the reserve of U.S. dollars to support dividends on its preferred stock and interest on debt.

From The Wall Street Journal

There, chimps climb into the trees to harvest fruits and often prefer several types of figs.

From Science Daily

Administrators are in the process of trying to identify a preferred bidder to take over the club and previously indicated that they hope to have one by Friday.

From BBC

The company also said it had established a $1.44 billion U.S. dollar reserve “to support the payment of dividends on its preferred stock and interest on its outstanding indebtedness.”

From Barron's

Related Words

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