prefer

[pri-fur]

See more synonyms for prefer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring.

to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken.
Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.

to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote: to be preferred for advancement.

Origin of prefer

1350–1400; Middle English preferre < Latin praeferre to bear before, set before, prefer, equivalent to prae- pre- + ferre to bear¹

Related formspre·fer·red·ly

[pri-fur-id-lee, -furd-lee] /prɪˈfɜr ɪd li, -ˈfɜrd li/, adverbpre·fer·red·ness, nounpre·fer·rer, nounun·pre·ferred, adjective

Synonym study

1. See choose.

Synonyms for prefer

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. favor, fancy. 3. offer, proffer, tender.

Antonyms for prefer

1. reject. 3. retract.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for prefer

adopt, suggest, pick, wish, put, promote, select, choose, desire, advance, aggrandize, upgrade, tap, raise, pose, cull, fancy, mark, elevate, incline

Examples from the Web for prefer

Contemporary Examples of prefer

This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.
The Top 10 Nontraditional Christmas TV Episodes
Jace Lacob
December 25, 2014
We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.
Pyongyang Shuffle: Hollywood In Dead Panic Over Sony Hack
James Poulos
December 19, 2014
Both are offering original programing designed to be viewed however you prefer—one episode at a time or all at once.
Binge Watching is the New Bonding Time
The Daily Beast
December 10, 2014
Note: If you prefer cookies thin and crisp, bake them straight from the mixing bowl.
Make These Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ina Garten
November 28, 2014
Such messages are unlikely to be beloved of secularists who prefer to scoff at the religious rather than engage with them.
Extreme Weather? Blame the End Times
Jay Michaelson
November 28, 2014

Historical Examples of prefer

It may be that he can prefer thee to some post about the minster.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
It is on Mr. Haley's account that I prefer to keep it secret.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
Other things being equal, people of six prefer that man who is tallest.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
You wadna have me to believe, Captain Smith, that the lady does not prefer you to him?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
Shall I sing the chorus now or would you prefer to hear it later.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower

British Dictionary definitions for prefer

prefer

verb -fers, -ferring or -ferred

(when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to like better or value more highlyI prefer to stand
law to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
(esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
(tr; often passive) to advance in rank over another or others; promote

Derived Formspreferrer, noun

Word Origin for prefer

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

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

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

Word Origin and History for prefer

late 14c., "to put forward or advance in rank or fortune, to promote," from Old French preferer (14c.) and directly from Latin praeferre "place or set before, carry in front," from prae "before" (see pre-) + ferre "to carry, to place" (see infer). Meaning "to esteem (something) more than others" also is recorded from late 14c. Original sense in English is preserved in preferment.