prefers; preferred; preferring
1
: to like (someone or something) better than someone or something else
Some people like vanilla ice cream, but I prefer chocolate.
I prefer shopping online.
She tends to prefer small college campuses.
I prefer this dictionary because of its helpful examples.
I would prefer it if you smoked outside. = I would prefer you to smoke outside.
Which one is the preferred alternative?
What is the preferred pronunciation of her name?
—often + to or overHe prefers sports to reading.
He prefers a good book to a movie.
She prefers chocolate over vanilla.
—often followed by to + verbI suggested that we play a game, but they preferred to watch TV.
I would prefer not to know about it.
2
law
: to make (a charge) against someone in a court of law
They preferred [=brought] charges against him for manslaughter. [=they formally accused him of the crime of manslaughter]
Cite this Entry
“Prefer.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/prefer. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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