prefer
[pri-fur]
- 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.
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Origin of prefer
Synonym study
1. See choose.
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
adoptsuggestpickwishputpromoteselectchoosedesireadvanceaggrandizeupgradetapraiseposecullfancymarkelevateinclineExamples from the Web for prefer
Contemporary Examples
This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.
We prefer to wave away the warning signs; like The Interview, Mulholland Drive was comfortably downplayed as over-the-top satire.
Both are offering original programing designed to be viewed however you prefer—one episode at a time or all at once.
Note: If you prefer cookies thin and crisp, bake them straight from the mixing bowl.
Such messages are unlikely to be beloved of secularists who prefer to scoff at the religious rather than engage with them.
Historical Examples
It may be that he can prefer thee to some post about the minster.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
It is on Mr. Haley's account that I prefer to keep it secret.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Other things being equal, people of six prefer that man who is tallest.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
You wadna have me to believe, Captain Smith, that the lady does not prefer you to him?
Shall I sing the chorus now or would you prefer to hear it later.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
prefer
- (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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for prefer
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper