prefer
[ pri-fur ]
/ prɪˈfɜr /
verb (used with object), pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring.
to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken.
Law.
to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.
to put forward or advance, as in rank or office; promote: to be preferred for advancement.
Origin of prefer
SYNONYMS FOR prefer
synonym study for prefer
1. See
choose.
OTHER WORDS FROM prefer
pre·fer·red·ly [pri-fur-id-lee, -furd-lee] /prɪˈfɜr ɪd li, -ˈfɜrd li/, adverb pre·fer·red·ness, noun pre·fer·rer, noun un·pre·ferred, adjectiveWords nearby prefer
Example sentences from the Web for preferred
British Dictionary definitions for preferred
prefer
/ (prɪˈfɜː) /
verb -fers, -ferring or -ferred
(when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to like better or value more highly
I prefer to stand
law
to give preference, esp to one creditor over others
(esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
(tr; often passive)
to advance in rank over another or others; promote
Derived forms of prefer
preferrer, nounWord Origin for prefer
C14: from Latin
praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from
prae in front +
ferre to bear
usage for prefer
Normally,
to is used after
prefer and
preferable, not
than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income at all . However,
than or
rather than should be used to link infinitives:
I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train