prefer

[pri-fur]

verb (used with object)

preferred, preferring 

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

Other Word Forms

• preferredly adverb
• preferredness noun
• preferrer noun
• unpreferred 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

Capitol, said he believes the federal agency prefers the term “holdover” to “rekindle” because the latter “is a word that implies that you didn’t do your job. ‘Holdover’ suggests it was beyond our control.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I've come to terms with my baldness now and I prefer to be bald than balding.

Read more on BBC

Cook doesn’t stop by as much, preferring to focus on operations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In normal times investors prefer companies that generate more profit with less capital—with the ideal being a firm with what Warren Buffett calls a “moat” protecting its business from too much competition.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Schools have their own preferred style of providing the award letters that explain financial aid for college.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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