Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. prefer(verb)

   like better; value more highly

   "Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels"; "We prefer sleeping outside"

2. choose, prefer, opt(verb)

   select as an alternative over another

   "I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant"; "She opted for the job on the East coast"

3. prefer, favor, favour(verb)

   promote over another

   "he favors his second daughter"

4. prefer(verb)

   give preference to one creditor over another

Wiktionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. prefer(Verb)

   To advance, promote (someone).

2. prefer(Verb)

   To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.

   I prefer tea to coffee.

3. prefer(Verb)

   To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").

4. prefer(Verb)

   To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Prefer(verb)

   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

2. Prefer(verb)

   to go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass

3. Prefer(verb)

   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

4. Prefer(verb)

   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

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Prefer

   prē-fėr′, v.t. to esteem above another: to regard or hold in higher estimation: to choose or select before others: to promote: to exalt: to offer or present, as a request: to bring forward for consideration: to place in advance:—pr.p. prefer′ring; pa.t. and pa.p. preferred′.—ns. Preferabil′ity, Pref′erableness.—adj. Pref′erable, worthy to be preferred or chosen: more desirable or excellent: of better quality.—adv. Pref′erably, by choice: in preference.—n. Pref′erence, the act of preferring: estimation above another: the state of being preferred: that which is preferred: choice.—adj. Preferential (pref-ėr-en′shal), having a preference.—adv. Preferen′tially.—ns. Prefer′ment, the act of preferring: the state of being preferred or advanced: advancement to a higher position: promotion: superior place, esp. in the church; Prefer′rer, one who prefers.—Preference shares, or stock, shares or stock on which the dividends must be paid before those on other kinds. [Fr. préférer—L. præferre—præ, before, ferre, to bear.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. prefer

   To choose something over another.

   She said she would prefer to take the bus than the train.

   Submitted by MC Harmonious on March 9, 2015

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'prefer' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2908

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'prefer' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1837

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'prefer' in Verbs Frequency: #304

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of prefer in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of prefer in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

1. Andrew Mellon:

   Gentlemen prefer bonds.

2. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu:

   I prefer liberty to chains of diamonds.

3. Stanislaw Lem:

   Cannibals prefer those who have no spines.

4. Donald Trump:

   I would like to face Ted. I would prefer it.

5. O. Henry:

   I prefer a square, nonillegal style of business

Images & Illustrations of prefer

Popularity rank by frequency of use