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 of prefer

• like
• enjoy
• choose
• favor
• want

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

Before the couple, who are both 28 and prefer to keep their last names private, walked down the aisle, Alexa had a wedding dress reveal with her eight bridesmaids. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

There are not a lot of options for those who prefer charcoal, graphite or pens. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026

Authorities often prefer to view them as unrealistic until more data is collected – a process that can take decades. —Dominic Boyer, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026

The 6-foot guard fits a prototype of length and shooting acumen preferred by the team’s front office, which hopes to build out a perimeter group that can be equally active on offense and disruptive on defense. —Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

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

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prefer

• chauffeur
• cockspur
• concur
• confer
• defer
• demur
• deter
• hotspur
• incur
• infer
• inter
• jagir

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)