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

Confirmed: Al Green, very much alive, prefers Automatic for the People over Monster. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Some prefer a big, fluffy tree, while others have made a tradition out of decorating a sparse Charlie Brown tree (including Mariah Carey!). —Genevieve Cepeda, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Not everyone wants to host a grand feast for Thanksgiving — some folks prefer a takeout meal, while others would rather skip the fuss of hosting entirely. —Kale Williams, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

And while ticks often prefer specific hosts, some other species that feed on dogs may also occasionally attach to humans. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 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)