prefer

[ pri-fur ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring.

1. to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than:

   to prefer beef to chicken.

   Synonyms: fancy, favor

   Antonyms: reject

2. Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
3. to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.

   Synonyms: tender, proffer, offer

   Antonyms: retract

4. to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote:

   to be preferred for advancement.

verb (used without object)

1. to wish or feel inclined:

   For this stir-fry you can skip the cashews if you prefer.

prefer

/ prɪˈfɜː /

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive to like better or value more highly

   I prefer to stand

2. law to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
3. (esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
4. tr; often passive to advance in rank over another or others; promote

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

Derived Forms

• preˈferrer, noun

Other Words From

• pre·fer·red·ly [pri-, fur, -id-lee, -, furd, -lee], adverb
• pre·fer·red·ness noun
• pre·fer·rer noun
• un·pre·ferred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefer¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preferren, prefer(re), from Anglo-French, Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre “to bear before, set before, prefer,” equivalent to prae- pre- + ferre to bear ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of prefer¹

C14: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bear

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

Many Senate Republicans might actually prefer it to having Gaetz’s disqualifying features and overall ugliness aired in public.

From Los Angeles Times

Political science fundamentals would tell us that this was a "change" election year — people think the nation is heading in the wrong direction, the incumbent president is unpopular, and people's personal economic situation is stressed — but it was hard to know whetherpeople would prefer to "stay the course" or "change," because Trump was also a deeply unpopular president.

From Salon

There are theater lovers, purists you might call them, who would prefer to see a work as its author intended it to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

Other companies on the scene include Singapore-based Prefer and San Francisco's Minus.

From BBC

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, for one, has conveyed that he isn’t interested in working in the administration and would prefer a Senate leadership position.

From BBC

Related Words

• adopt
• choose
• go for
• pick
• promote
• put
• select
• suggest
• wish