Prefer — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /pri-ˈfər/ pre·fer

Meaning & Definition of Prefer

Prefer (verb)

  1. to promote or advance to a rank or position
  2. to like better or best
  3. to give (a creditor) priority

Prefer (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to show partiality toward

    "I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla"

    similar: care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, be partial to, go in for
    related: adore, cotton (to), delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), relish, revel (in), choose, cull, handpick, name, pick, select, single (out), take, covet, crave, desire, hanker (for or after), want, wish (for), bias, prejudice, incline (toward), tend (to), admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: disfavor, dislike, mislike, abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

  2. to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

    "most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive"

    similar: cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, select, single (out), tag, take
    related: preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon)
    opposite: decline, refuse, reject, turn down
    near: disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Prefer

The most common words with a similar meaning to Prefer:

care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, select, single (out), tag, take, be partial to, go in for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Prefer

Words with the opposite meaning of Prefer:

decline, refuse, reject, turn down

Related Words for Prefer

adore, cotton (to), delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), relish, revel (in), covet, crave, desire, hanker (for or after), want, wish (for), bias, prejudice, incline (toward), tend (to), admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value, preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark

Near Antonyms of Prefer

disfavor, dislike, mislike, abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn

Word Forms of Prefer

Inflections: preferred, preferring

Derived words: preferrer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Prefer

Middle English preferren, from Anglo-French preferrer, from Latin praeferre to put before, prefer, from prae- + ferre to carry bear

First known use: 1548

Frequently Asked Questions about Prefer

What does "Prefer" mean?

"Prefer" means to promote or advance to a rank or position. As a verb, it is defined as: to promote or advance to a rank or position. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Prefer"?

Other words for "Prefer" include care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, cherry-pick, choose, cull and elect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Prefer" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Prefer"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Prefer". Common alternatives include care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick and name.

What is the opposite of "Prefer"?

Antonyms of "Prefer" include decline, refuse, reject and turn down. Near antonyms include disfavor, dislike, mislike and abhor.

How do you use "Prefer" in a sentence?

Examples of "Prefer" in a sentence: "I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla"; "most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive".

Is "Prefer" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Prefer" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Prefer"?

"Prefer" is pronounced /pri-ˈfər/ and divided into syllables as pre·fer.

What is the origin of the word "Prefer"?

"Prefer" comes from Middle English preferren, from Anglo-French preferrer, from Latin praeferre to put before, prefer, from prae- + ferre to carry bear. First known use: 1548.