prefer

verb

pre·​fer pri-ˈfər How to pronounce prefer (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Convenience and Speed Having 24/7 shopping access to glasses and home delivery is a primary reason many consumers prefer online shopping. Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Patients who prefer a clinical setting over private cosmetic centers often consider Clinicana. Matt Emma, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025 The custom silicon narrative could facilitate long-term growth in AI, as hyperscalers increasingly prefer custom chips over standardized GPUs to achieve the right balance of performance, power efficiency, and costs for their AI models. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Won Chae gravitates toward an image that is clean, pure and strong, preferring to show her real self without embellishment. Sara Smith, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prefer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prefer was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prefer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

prefer

verb
pre·​fer pri-ˈfər How to pronounce prefer (audio)
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 How to pronounce prefer (audio)
preferred; preferring
1
: to give (a creditor or debt) priority or preference
any preferred charges such as child support or alimonyIn 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)

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