Prefer Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Published on March 31, 2024
Prefer means to like someone or something better than another or others; to tend to choose. e.g., Given the choice, I would prefer tea over coffee.
Table of Contents
Prefer Definitions
To promote or advance someone or something over others.
The company prefers to hire internally before looking externally.
To choose or favor one thing over another.
She prefers classical music to pop music.
To desire or wish for someone or something in particular.
She prefers coffee in the morning to kickstart her day.
To hold in higher esteem or regard.
He prefers honesty above all other traits in his friends.
To give priority or precedence to someone or something.
In scheduling meetings, he prefers mornings over afternoons.
To have a stronger liking for one alternative over others.
Children often prefer sweet snacks to healthy ones.
To select or opt for something more desirable.
For vacations, they prefer the beach to the mountains.
To have a bias or partiality towards something.
As a chef, he naturally prefers fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
To recommend or advocate for a particular option.
The doctor prefers a more conservative treatment approach initially.
To express a wish or inclination towards something.
I would prefer not to discuss this matter at work.
To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value
Prefers coffee to tea.
To give priority or precedence to (a creditor).
To present (a charge) against a defendant before a court
Prefer an indictment.
To present (a case) to a court as ready for consideration
Prefer the case for trial.
(Archaic) To recommend for advancement or appointment; promote.
(transitive) To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
I prefer tea to coffee.
I'd prefer it if you didn't do it.
To advance, promote (someone or something).
(transitive) To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).
To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; - said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.
He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.
Presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.
Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.
To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.
To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.
I would prefer him to a better place.
To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; - often followed by to, before, or above.
If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.
Like better; value more highly;
Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels
We prefer sleeping outside
Select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative;
I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant
She opted for the job on the East coast
Promote over another;
He favors his second daughter
Give preference to one creditor over another
Prefer Snonyms
Select
To carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.
He took his time to select the perfect gift for her.
Favor
To feel or show approval or preference for something.
She favors quiet evenings at home rather than going out.
Like better
To have a more favorable opinion or feeling towards something or someone.
I like apples better than oranges.
Choose
To pick out or select someone or something as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.
Given the options, I would choose peace over conflict.
Advocate
To recommend or support a particular cause or policy.
He advocates for sustainable energy solutions.
Decide on
To make a choice or determination about something.
After much deliberation, they decided on a destination wedding.
Opt for
To make a choice or decision from a range of possibilities.
Given the choice, I would opt for an early retirement.
Lean towards
To show a preference or tendency towards something.
She leans towards a minimalist lifestyle.
Go for
To decide on or choose, especially to choose to buy or to eat.
When it comes to desserts, I usually go for chocolate.
Endorse
To declare one's public approval or support of something.
The celebrity endorsed the new health initiative.
Prefer Example Sentences
They prefer to travel during the off-season to avoid the crowds.
I prefer reading books to watching television.
We prefer to discuss sensitive issues in private.
She prefers using natural ingredients in her cooking.
They prefer a hands-on approach to learning new skills.
I prefer to get feedback directly rather than through email.
I prefer to make decisions after considering all the facts.
They prefer adopting rescue animals instead of buying from breeders.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide prefer into syllables?
Prefer is divided into syllables as pre-fer.
How many syllables are in prefer?
There are two syllables in "prefer."
How is prefer used in a sentence?
Prefer is used to express a choice or favoritism between options, e.g., I prefer homemade meals over dining out.
What is the verb form of prefer?
The verb form is "prefer."
What is a stressed syllable in prefer?
The stressed syllable in "prefer" is "fer."
What is the first form of prefer?
The first form is "prefer."
Why is it called prefer?
The term "prefer" comes from the Latin "praeferre," meaning "to set before, to value more, to esteem above," which reflects the action of favoring or choosing one thing over another.
What is the root word of prefer?
The root word of "prefer" is from the Latin "praeferre."
What is the third form of prefer?
The third form is "preferred."
What is another term for prefer?
Another term for "prefer" is "favor."
What is the pronunciation of prefer?
Prefer is pronounced as /prɪˈfɜr/ or /priˈfɛr/, depending on the regional accent.
What is the second form of prefer?
The second form is "preferred."
Is prefer a countable noun?
"Prefer" is a verb, not a noun, so it is not countable.
Which vowel is used before prefer?
The vowel or consonant used before "prefer" depends on the context and the preceding word in a sentence.
Is prefer a noun or adjective?
"Prefer" is a verb.
Is prefer an adverb?
No, "prefer" is not an adverb.
Is prefer an abstract noun?
No, "prefer" is a verb, not a noun.
Is prefer a negative or positive word?
"Prefer" is generally a neutral word; it can have positive or negative connotations depending on the context.
Is the prefer term a metaphor?
"Prefer" can be used metaphorically to describe favoring one option or idea over another in a non-literal sense.
Is the word prefer imperative?
"Prefer" can be used in the imperative mood as a command or request, e.g., "Prefer quality over quantity."
Is the word “prefer” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "prefer" is the verb, and the thing preferred can be the direct object.
Which preposition is used with prefer?
Prepositions like "to" and "over" are commonly used with "prefer," e.g., "prefer tea to coffee," "prefer this over that."
What is the singular form of prefer?
The singular form is "prefer."
What is the plural form of prefer?
As a verb, "prefer" does not have a plural form; it changes form based on the subject's tense and person.
What is the opposite of prefer?
The opposite of "prefer" could be "dislike" or "reject."
Is prefer a vowel or consonant?
The word "prefer" starts with a consonant sound (p).
Is the word prefer Gerund?
No, "prefer" is not a gerund; the gerund form of "prefer" is "preferring."
Which conjunction is used with prefer?
Conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or" can be used in sentences involving "prefer."
Which article is used with prefer?
Articles are not directly used with "prefer" itself but may be used with the nouns that follow "prefer," e.g., "prefer the option."
What part of speech is prefer?
"Prefer" is a verb.
Is prefer a collective noun?
No, "prefer" is not a collective noun.
Which determiner is used with prefer?
Determiners are not typically used with the verb "prefer" itself but may be used with the objects of preference, e.g., "I prefer the red one."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
