Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense prefers, present participle preferring, past tense, past participle preferred
verb [no cont]
If you prefer someone or something, you like that person or thing better than another, and so youare more likely to choose them if there is a choice.
Does he prefer a particular sort of music? [VERB noun]
I became a teacher because I preferred books and people to politics. [VERB noun + to]
I prefer to go on self-catering holidays. [VERB to-infinitive]
I would prefer him to be with us next season. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Bob prefers making original pieces rather than reproductions. [VERB verb-ing]
The woodwork's green now. I preferred it blue. [VERB noun adjective]
Her own preferred methods of exercise are hiking and long cycle rides. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB that]
Synonyms: choose, elect, opt for, pick More Synonyms of prefer
More Synonyms of prefer
prefer in British English
(prɪˈfɜː)
verbWord forms: -fers, -ferring or -ferred
1. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to like better or value more highly
I prefer to stand
2. law
to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
3.
(esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
4. (tr; often passive)
to advance in rank over another or others; promote
▶ USAGE Normally, to is used after prefer and preferable, not than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income atall. However, than or rather than should be used to link infinitives: I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train
Derived forms
preferrer (preˈferrer)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bear
prefer in American English
(priˈfɜr; prɪˈfɜr)
verb transitiveWord forms: preˈferred or preˈferring
1.
to put before someone else in rank, office, etc.; promote; advance
2.
to put before a magistrate, administrator, court, etc. for consideration, sanction, or redress
to prefer charges against an attacker
3.
to put before something or someone else in one's liking, opinion, etc.; like better
4.
to give preference or priority to (a creditor, etc.)
Derived forms
preferrer (preˈferrer)
noun
Word origin
ME preferren < MFr preferer < L praeferre, to place before < prae-, pre- + ferre, bear1
Examples of 'prefer' in a sentence
prefer
He was not disgraced in second and will prefer the give in the ground.
The Sun (2017)
Some people probably prefer them to be seen and not heard.
The Sun (2016)
People prefer a partner who is generous rather than rich.
The Sun (2016)
And would not most people prefer to avoid such risks?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I always prefer to go for a walk.
The Sun (2016)
I prefer other people dressing up for my entertainment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A lot of people would have preferred a real one.
The Sun (2016)
If you turn it into something which people would prefer to see, you are altering the facts of history.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
People prefer fairness to wealth.
The Sun (2016)
But I rather preferred the sculpture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why do we prefer to mislead rather than lie?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
There is some more good news for people who prefer to sit still.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
Would you prefer he put it out for a corner?
The Sun (2013)
He prefers music because he is more in control.
The Sun (2013)
This is yet another reason to prefer vegetables to celebrities.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We prefer to go out for meals.
The Sun (2013)
Or rather she prefers the fuss in the right places.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Most people prefer small things given more often to bigger things given at long intervals.
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
It sounds boring but we prefer to put the money into the show.
The Sun (2013)
Instead comrades prefer to watch another new day dawn in another capital.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This church prefers to go ahead and weed people out up front.
Christianity Today (2000)
Maybe some people would prefer to have a peerage without the onerous duty.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He prefers to put his money back into his own art.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He often preferred another designer to do the costumes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Obviously they must prefer to go away on holiday.
The Sun (2008)
Lots of people prefer cleaning or cooking jobs.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We prefer to put capital to greenfield rather than in mature projects where fiscal terms are too hard.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Lots of people like to give things as gifts and most people prefer to give something tangible that they can wrap up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Do we actually prefer music that is a little raw, a little flawed?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That will continue, though his father prefers to advise rather than lead now.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Although the peer has made his millions from club music, he prefers classical.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Just over a quarter prefer to give something other than cash, such as food or drink.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Perhaps you require large amounts of data, or maybe prefer to call rather than text.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
prefer
British English: prefer /prɪˈfɜː/ VERB
If you prefer someone or something, you like that person or thing better than another.
Does he prefer a particular sort of music?
American English: prefer
Arabic: يُفَضِّلُ
Brazilian Portuguese: preferir
Chinese: 更喜欢
Croatian: preferirati
Czech: preferovat
Danish: foretrække
Dutch: verkiezen voorkeur geven aan
European Spanish: preferir
Finnish: pitää parempana
French: préférer
German: bevorzugen
Greek: προτιμώ
Italian: preferire
Japanese: ･･･の方を好む
Korean: 선호하다
Norwegian: foretrekke
Polish: woleć
European Portuguese: preferir
Romanian: a prefera
Russian: предпочитать
Latin American Spanish: preferir
Swedish: föredra
Thai: ชอบมากกว่า
Turkish: tercih etmek
Ukrainian: надавати перевагу
Vietnamese: thích hơn
Chinese translation of 'prefer'
prefer
(prɪˈfəːʳ)
vt
偏爱(愛) (piān'ài)
to prefer coffee to tea喜欢(歡)咖啡胜(勝)于(於)茶 (xǐhuan kāfēi shèngyú chá)
to prefer doing sth更喜欢(歡)做某事 (gèng xǐhuan zuò mǒushì)
I'd prefer to go by train我宁(寧)愿(願)坐火车(車)去 (wǒ nìngyuàn zuò huǒchē qù)
I'd prefer him to go to university我宁(寧)可他上大学(學) (wǒ nìngkě tā shàng dàxué)
He had adopted a new country and a new profession.
fancy (British, informal)
I think he thinks I fancy him.
opt for
single out
plump for
incline towards
be partial to
2 (verb)
I prefer to go on self-catering holidays.
Synonyms
choose
I chose him to accompany me on my trip.
elect
The people have voted to elect a new president.
opt for
pick
He had picked ten people to interview for the jobs.
wish
We can dress as we wish nowadays.
desire
would rather
would sooner
incline towards
3 (verb)
Definition
to put (charges) before a court for judgment
She came to the police station to prefer charges against him.
Synonyms
put forward
place
present
We presented three options to the unions for discussion.
press
mass strikes and demonstrations to press their demands
file
lodge
He has four weeks in which to lodge an appeal.
4 (verb)
Definition
to promote over another or others
Synonyms
promote
I was promoted to editor and then editorial director.
raise
She was to be raised to the rank of ambassador.
advance
He was busy advancing other people's work.
upgrade
He was upgraded to security guard.
move up
elevate
He was elevated to the post of Prime Minister.
aggrandize
He would go on and on, showing off, aggrandizing himself.
Usage note
Normally, to (not than) is used after prefer and preferable. Therefore, you would say I prefer skating to skiing, and a small income is preferable to no income at all. However, when expressing a preference between two activities stated as infinitive verbs, for example to skate and to ski, use than, as in I prefer to skate than to ski.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adopt
Definition
to choose (a plan or method)
He had adopted a new country and a new profession.
Synonyms
select,
choose,
pick,
nominate,
opt for,
decide on,
single out,
settle on,
cherry-pick
in the sense of advance
Definition
to further a cause
He was busy advancing other people's work.
Synonyms
promote,
help,
further,
aid,
forward,
champion,
push,
encourage,
assist,
plug (informal),
pave the way for,
hasten,
patronize,
succour,
lend support to
in the sense of aggrandize
Definition
to make greater in size, power, or rank
He would go on and on, showing off, aggrandizing himself.
Synonyms
exaggerate,
advance,
promote,
intensify,
elevate,
enlarge,
enrich,
inflate,
dignify,
magnify,
amplify,
augment,
exalt,
ennoble
Synonyms of 'prefer'
prefer
Explore 'prefer' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of elect
Definition
to choose (someone) to fill a position by voting for him or her
The people have voted to elect a new president.
Synonyms
vote for,
choose,
pick,
determine,
select,
appoint,
opt for,
designate,
pick out,
settle on,
decide upon
in the sense of elevate
Definition
to raise in rank or status
He was elevated to the post of Prime Minister.
Synonyms
promote,
raise,
advance,
upgrade,
exalt,
kick upstairs (informal),
aggrandize,
give advancement to
in the sense of fancy
Definition
to be physically attracted to (another person)
I think he thinks I fancy him.
Synonyms
be attracted to,
find attractive,
desire,
lust after,
like,
prefer,
favour,
take to,
go for,
be captivated by,
have an eye for,
have a thing about (informal),
have eyes for,
take a liking to
in the sense of favour
Definition
to prefer
She favours community activism over legislation.
Synonyms
prefer,
opt for,
like better,
incline towards,
choose,
pick,
desire,
select,
elect,
adopt,
go for,
fancy (British, informal),
single out,
plump for,
be partial to
in the sense of lodge
Definition
to bring (a charge or accusation) against someone
He has four weeks in which to lodge an appeal.
Synonyms
register,
put,
place,
set,
lay,
enter,
file,
deposit,
submit,
put on record
in the sense of pick
Definition
to choose or select
He had picked ten people to interview for the jobs.
Synonyms
select,
choose,
identify,
elect,
nominate,
sort out,
specify,
opt for,
single out,
mark out,
plump for,
hand-pick,
decide upon,
cherry-pick,
fix upon,
settle on or upon,
sift out,
flag up
in the sense of present
Definition
to put forward or submit
We presented three options to the unions for discussion.
Synonyms
put forward,
offer,
suggest,
raise,
state,
produce,
introduce,
advance,
relate,
declare,
extend,
pose,
submit,
tender,
hold out,
recount,
expound,
proffer,
adduce
in the sense of press
Definition
to plead or put forward strongly
mass strikes and demonstrations to press their demands
Synonyms
plead,
present,
lodge,
submit,
tender,
advance insistently
in the sense of raise
Definition
to advance in rank
She was to be raised to the rank of ambassador.
Synonyms
promote,
upgrade,
elevate,
advance,
prefer,
exalt,
aggrandize
in the sense of select
Definition
to choose (someone or something) in preference to another or others