preferverb [ T ]
uk/prɪˈfɜːr/us/prɪˈfɝː/-rr-prefer verb [ T ] (CHOOSE)
A2 to like, choose, or want one thing rather than another:
Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
I prefer red wine to white.
[ + -ing verb ] He prefers watching football to playing it.
[ + to infinitive ] I'd prefer not to discuss this issue.
formal I'd prefer you not to smoke (= I would like it better if you did not smoke), please.
More examples
- Some people prefer a vegetarian diet, while others prefer a meat-based diet.
- I'd prefer not to work but I don't have much choice.
- Most convalescents prefer to be cared for at home rather than in a hospital.
- You can detach the hood if you prefer the coat without it.
- Would you prefer to pay by cash, cheque, or credit card?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Liking more
- bias
- each
- fave
- favour
- favourite
- favourite son
- give
- give me ... any day/every time! idiom
- lief
- preferable
- preferably
- preference
- preferred
- rather
- soon
- top ten
- would
- would (just) as soon idiom
prefer verb [ T ] (ACCUSE)
UK specialized law to accuse someone officially:
The police have decided not to prefer charges against them because of insufficient evidence.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Taking legal action
- appear
- appear for sb
- bring
- civil action
- class action
- complainant
- court
- double jeopardy
- indict
- indictment
- law
- legal
- make legal history idiom
- petitioner
- plaintiff
- proceed
- proceed against sb
- proceedings
- serve
- summons
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