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

This is a good sign, as an increase in yield indicates that investors prefer higher-risk and higher-reward investments. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

Although the plan is not yet certain, both the community and city prefer to replace the pier due to the ongoing cost of repairs and need to modernize it. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

Families may prefer a visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where scientists will be on hand to answer questions. —Melissa Locker, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

Some people prefer to play supportive roles and may feel embarrassed by being thanked in front of a team, while others may need regular verbal recognition from their leaders. —Jason Hennessey, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024

Each box features a surprise item in addition to a candle from an artisan candle maker in the U.S. For The Mom With a Green Thumb If your mom prefers to grow herbs, this is the perfect Mother’s Day gift. —Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024

Elastic waistbands may be preferred for long trips whereas a zipper or button fly may be better suited for a more formal occasion, like a work meeting. —ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Alice’s ineffectual husband Simon (a curiously miscast Anders Danielsen Lie) prefers to stay aloof, while Céline’s distraught husband Damian (ensemble standout Josh Charles, in an underwritten part) retreats into boozy isolation. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024

But the Santa Rosa club members aren’t the only ones out there who prefer a roll of the dice to a mouse click. —Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 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)