prefer

American  

[pri-fur] / prɪˈfɜr /

verb (used with object)

prefers, present (3rd person singular) preferred, past participle, past preferring present participle

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)

prefers, present (3rd person singular) preferred, past participle, past preferring present participle

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

Synonym Usage

See choose.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have preferred
  perfect
• has preferred
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been preferring
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are preferring
  progressive
• am preferring
  progressive 1st person singular
• is preferring
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been preferring
  perfect progressive
• prefers
  singular 3rd person
• preferring
  participle

Past

• had preferred
  perfect
• had been preferring
  perfect progressive
• were preferring
  progressive plural
• was preferring
  progressive singular
• preferred
  participle
• preferred
  simple

Future

• will prefer
  simple
• will have preferred
  perfect
• will be preferring
  progressive
• will have been preferring
  perfect progressive

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

Explanation

Prefer means to like better. If your parents prefer your sister to you, chances are her allowance will be higher and you'll get blamed for things she's done. If someone offers you hamburgers and hot dogs, it's more polite to say, "I'd prefer a hot dog," than "Blech, hamburgers. Gag me!" Note that prefer means not just to like, but to like better––you're comparing two or more things. Whether it be chocolate ice cream over other flavors, or getting going first thing in the morning as opposed to lounging in your PJs, what you prefer is called your preference. And if you like them all the same, you can say you have no preference

Example Sentences

She starred in some of the biggest Hollywood films of her era, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot and How to Marry a Millionaire.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2024

The screen legend, star of such films as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Some Like It Hot" and "The Misfits," was found dead in a bedroom of the home in August 1962 at the age of 36.

From Reuters • Sep. 8, 2023

Newland explained to him that she and her friends enjoy watching “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” in part because of its worldview and because it’s a glamorous fantasy.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2022

There are stunning recreations of iconic film moments, from “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” and “The Seven Year Itch,” and classic photos brought to life, but all are done with a twist.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Prefer a near neighbour to a distant brother.

From Arabian Wisdom by Wortabet, John

Related Words

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