Definitions for prefer
prɪˈfɜrpre·fer

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

1. preferverb

   like better; value more highly

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

2. choose, prefer, optverb

   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, favourverb

   promote over another

   "he favors his second daughter"

4. preferverb

   give preference to one creditor over another

Wiktionary(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. preferverb

   To advance, promote (someone).

2. preferverb

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

   I prefer tea to coffee.

3. preferverb

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

4. preferverb

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

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

1. Preferverb

   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. Preferverb

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

3. Preferverb

   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. Preferverb

   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.]

Matched Categories

1. • Law
   • Like
   • Pay
   • Promote

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

How to pronounce prefer?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say prefer in sign language?

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

Examples of prefer in a Sentence

1. Peter Meijer:

   I would prefer that we have a more fulsome investigation into what happened. Most of what I know about January 6 came either from personal experience or from Twitter. But at the end of the day, I think it is obvious that the President is no longer qualified to hold that office.

2. Jack Ablin:

   Having a divided government is what generally investors want, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican. Investors prefer checks and balances, my sense is: we may get some clarity around the runoff by tomorrow, so why invest today?.

3. Chen Xufeng:

   I've seen more goats in zodiac images, but I prefer to buy a sheep mascot, as sheep are more fluffy and lovely.

4. HWR:

   An "OGEE" could be used in a variety of settings. "OMG, the ogee is fabulous for our new molding." Or, "Honey, which do you prefer: the lateral ogee or the supported ogee?

5. Frederick Douglas:

   I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.

Images & Illustrations of prefer

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