prefer
[ pri-fur ]
/ prɪˈfɜr /
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.
Words nearby prefer
Origin of prefer
SYNONYMS FOR prefer
OTHER WORDS FROM prefer
pre·fer·red·ly [pri-fur-id-lee, -furd-lee] /prɪˈfɜr ɪd li, -ˈfɜrd li/, adverbpre·fer·red·ness, nounpre·fer·rer, nounun·pre·ferred, adjectivesynonym study for prefer
1. See choose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for prefer
British Dictionary definitions for prefer
prefer
/ (prɪˈfɜː) /
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 forms of prefer
preferrer, nounWord Origin for prefer
C14: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bear
usage for prefer
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
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