prefer

verb pre·fer \ pri-ˈfər \

Definition of prefer

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

See prefer defined for English-language learners

See prefer defined for kids

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 of prefer from the Web

VIPs get early access to the event, preferred parking, an exclusive VIP area and all the other benefits of the Grand Tasting ticket.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Special events at Apparatus Room, Townhouse added to Detroit Free Press Food & Wine Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
Others don’t give a damn about the budget consequences, and/or prefer to wish them away via insanely optimistic revenue estimates.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Tax Speech Empty Of Tax Specifics, Budget Context," 30 Aug. 2017
Actually, this is how the Indians prefer it, deferring the headlines to the Yankees and Red Sox.

— bob klapisch, USA TODAY, "Why the Indians are the biggest playoff threat in the American League," 30 Aug. 2017
At the end of the pilot, the survey indicated 16 out of 22 participants preferred the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 370.

— priscella vega, Glendale News-Press, "Glendale school officials hear plans to replace and maintain aging technology," 29 Aug. 2017
Those who prefer their C extra cushy, however, will need to order the plug-in C350e, the only C-class with standard Airmatic air suspension.

— clifford atiyeh, Car and Driver, "A Star Has Fallen: Mercedes-Benz Drops Hood Ornament from C-class," 28 Aug. 2017
Instead of catching prey by tearing and grasping it with their teeth before swallowing the pieces whole—the way modern dolphins typically prefer to eat—this ancient creature sucked up prey from the sea floor in a method known as suction feeding.

— courtesy robert boessenecker, National Geographic, "New Species of Prehistoric Dolphin Slurped Up Its Prey," 23 Aug. 2017
But the Colts would much prefer to not be dealing with this so close to the start of the regular season.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Time is running out for Andrew Luck, Colts," 22 Aug. 2017
What’s more, many shoppers would simply prefer to spend their money on travel or technology.

— taylor cromwell, Bloomberg.com, "Here's a Retail Job That's Still in High Demand: Data Scientist," 21 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prefer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prefer

Middle English preferren, from Anglo-French preferrer, from Latin praeferre to put before, prefer, from prae- + ferre to carry — more at bear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

prefer Synonyms

Synonyms

care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, be partial to, go in for

Antonyms

decline, refuse, reject, turn down

Related Words

adore, cotton (to), delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), relish, revel (in); choose, cull, handpick, name, pick, select, single (out), take; covet, crave, desire, hanker (for or after), want, wish (for); bias, prejudice; incline (toward), tend (to); admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value

Near Antonyms

disfavor, dislike, mislike; abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe; decline, refuse, reject, turn down; discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

PREFER Defined for English Language Learners

prefer

verb

Definition of prefer for English Language Learners

: to like (someone or something) better than someone or something else
law : to make (a charge) against someone in a court of law

PREFER Defined for Kids

prefer

verb pre·fer \ pri-ˈfər \

Definition of prefer for Students

preferred; preferring

:to like better than another or others

She prefers chocolate ice cream.

Word Root of prefer

The Latin word ferre, meaning “to carry” or “to bring,” gives us the root fer. Words from the Latin ferre have something to do with carrying. To transfer is to carry across from one person, place, or condition to another. To confer is to bring something to someone in order to present it. To offer is to bring forth for another to accept or reject. To prefer is to carry a stronger liking for one over another.