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

Option two is preferred by major oil producers like Saudi Arabia, who want to steer the focus of the discussions toward plastic recycling and waste management, rather than its production. —Susan Solomon, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024

However, despite the results, many advertisers still prefer to block such topics, which negatively affects the income of news websites. —Roman Vrublivskyi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

The Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies have also checked in with Hernández, according to McKain, while the Baltimore Orioles have focused their attention elsewhere, preferring not to sacrifice the draft pick required to sign a player who received and rejected a qualifying offer. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Savita Subramanian, Bank of America Securities head of U.S. equity and strategy, prefers the S & P Equal Weight Index rather than the traditional S & P 500, which is ranked by each company’s market capitalization. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 Dec. 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)