prefer

[ pri-fur ]

/ prɪˈfɜr /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of prefer

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

SYNONYMS FOR prefer

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

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ANTONYMS FOR prefer

1. reject. 3. retract.

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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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for preferred

They preferred having an independent arbitrator in place to hear any and all appeals.
Roger Goodell and the NFL’s Path to Power|Robert Silverman|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Swiss press reports, younger cats in the litter are the most tender and, as such, are the preferred cat cuts.
Will the Swiss Quit Cooking their Kittens and Puppies?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Silence was clearly the preferred strategy of Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
Now, Gay Marriage Is a GOP Problem|Marc Solomon|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Clients supply transportation, lodging, and ingredients, including the preferred strain of ganja.
Meet the Julia Child of Weed|Justin Jones|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The poll was dismissed by Republicans—who preferred the more favorable results shown in Election Day exit polling.
Asian Americans Are The Country’s Fastest Growing Swing Vote|Tim Mak|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He would have preferred to discuss something more personal than his mining affairs.
For the Allinson Honor|Harold Bindloss
He said he could give me camels, but I preferred a hackery as I might be able to sit on it if my pony broke down.
A Diary Kept by Mrs. R. C. Germon, at Lucknow, Between the Months of May and December, 1857|Maria Vincent Germon
He preferred Madeline to Cowcross Street with all its delights.
Orley Farm|Anthony Trollope
I would have preferred to remain silent about the actions of which I have told.
My Attainment of the Pole|Frederick A. Cook
Jakin and Lew were attached to the Band as supernumeraries, though they would much have preferred being company buglers.
Soldiers Three, Part II.|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for preferred

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 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 preferred

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.