prefer

[ pri-fur ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• preˈferrer, noun

Other Words From

• pre·fer·red·ly [pri-, fur, -id-lee, -, furd, -lee], adverb
• pre·fer·red·ness noun
• pre·fer·rer noun
• un·pre·ferred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefer¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefer¹

C14: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bear

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

While Pelosi prefers to do a comprehensive relief package, one policy she is said to be considering is a $75 billion bill that would bolster coronavirus testing and tracing programs nationwide.

From Fortune

Viruses, which hijack cells to copy their proteins, have, predictably, evolved a taste for the same codons that human cells prefer.

From MIT Technology Review

I prefer to keep the mobile version on the left-hand side and desktop version of the source code on the right-hand side.

From Search Engine Land

This easel-style calendar doesn’t ask a whole lot of you, and some people rightfully prefer their office supplies that way.

From Popular-Science

While companies still overwhelmingly prefer board candidates with prior public board experience—72% of this year’s new picks had that record—they’re slowly accepting different kinds of leaders.

From Fortune

This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.

From The Daily Beast

Environmentalists today generally prefer to limit roads and block new water projects, even in parched California.

From The Daily Beast

We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.

From The Daily Beast

Both are offering original programing designed to be viewed however you prefer—one episode at a time or all at once.

From The Daily Beast

And even those who consider themselves great patriots prefer to keep their savings in foreign currency.

From The Daily Beast

We prefer the American volume of Hochelaga to the Canadian one, although both are highly interesting.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, few workmen will take a holiday; they prefer a "day's out" or "play."

From Project Gutenberg

The Cockalorum pondered over this for a moment, and then murmuring, "I prefer croquet," floundered away through the waving grass.

From Project Gutenberg

The Russians, on the contrary, prefer orange-yellow transparent specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

It is immaterial to whom the transfer is made if the purpose be to prefer one creditor to another.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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