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
favoredapprovedlikedsanctionedselectednamedelectedtakenadoptedpickedculledfanciedpopularwell-likedExamples from the Web for preferred
Contemporary Examples
They preferred having an independent arbitrator in place to hear any and all appeals.
According to Swiss press reports, younger cats in the litter are the most tender and, as such, are the preferred cat cuts.
Silence was clearly the preferred strategy of Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
Clients supply transportation, lodging, and ingredients, including the preferred strain of ganja.
The poll was dismissed by Republicans—who preferred the more favorable results shown in Election Day exit polling.
Historical Examples
So we think, whatever you think: and whose thoughts are to be preferred?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Mash or chop the berries, as preferred, and add the sugar to them.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Any salad dressing that is preferred may be served with them.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 4Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
She never lied about her age, but she preferred to forget it.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
Tenancy at a fixed rental is preferred, as less complicated and troublesome.
The Roof of FranceMatilda Betham-Edwards
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 preferred
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