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

Missiles launched from Iran against Israel, for example, or vice versa, must fly over Jordan, Saudi Arabia, or the Gulf states—countries that would likely prefer to sit on the sidelines of such a conflict and that likely prefer that live missiles not pass through their airspace. —Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025

Most people would still prefer to eat fresh over frozen food, but no one is going to get more time to cook anytime soon. —Meghan McCarron, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

John Seidler’s approval as control person was contingent on his becoming trustee of Peter Seidler’s trust, as Major League Baseball prefers the control person and trustee to be the same person when a trust controls the largest stake in a team. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

That might explain why Willard preferred to see Miguel shooting instead of passing the ball. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025

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)