prefer

verb

pre·​fer pri-ˈfər 

preferred; preferring

transitive verb

1

: to promote or advance to a rank or position

2

: to like better or best

prefers sports to reading

prefers to watch TV

3

: to give (a creditor) priority

4

archaic : to put or set forward or before someone : recommend

5

: to bring or lay against someone

won't prefer charges

6

: to bring forward or lay before one for consideration

preferrer noun

Synonyms

• care (for)
• favor
• lean (toward or towards)
• like

Examples of prefer in a Sentence

Some people like vanilla ice cream, but I prefer chocolate.

She tends to prefer small college campuses.

I prefer this dictionary because of its helpful examples.

Which one is the preferred alternative?

What is the preferred pronunciation of her name?

Recent Examples on the Web

Slimy slugs and snails are thriving in Los Angeles, California and appear to prefer urban life. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

Democrats would still like the election to be a referendum on Trump, while Republicans would prefer voters render their verdict on Biden and Harris. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024

At some point, Musselman would prefer to cut his rotation down to a much smaller number. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

More news: Kamala Harris Personally Called Dodgers Manager After World Series But those with more direct baseball experience with the Florida climate would prefer the team stay indoors. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preferren, from Anglo-French preferrer, from Latin praeferre to put before, prefer, from prae- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prefer

verb

pre·​fer pri-ˈfər 

preferred; preferring

1

: to choose or like better than another

prefer dark clothes

2

: to present for action or consideration

prefer charges against a thief

Legal Definition

prefer

transitive verb

pre·​fer pri-ˈfər 

preferred; preferring

1

: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference

any preferred charges such as child support or alimony

—In re Smiley, 427 P.2d 179 (1967)

2

: to bring forward for determination

especially : to bring (a charge) against someone

the various means by which a grand jury might prefer charges

—State v. Byrd, 399 S.E.2d 267 (1990)