Definition of Prefer

1. Verb. Like better; value more highly. "They prefer him to write the letter"; "We prefer sleeping outside"

Generic synonyms: Like
Derivative terms: Preference

2. Verb. Select as an alternative over another. "They prefer him to write the letter"; "She opted for the job on the East coast"
Exact synonyms: Choose, Opt
Entails: Compare
Specialized synonyms: Cop Out, Opt Out
Derivative terms: Optative, Option, Preference, Preferment

3. Verb. Promote over another. "The chefs prefer the vegetables"; "He favors his second daughter"
Exact synonyms: Favor, Favour
Generic synonyms: Advance, Elevate, Kick Upstairs, Promote, Raise, Upgrade
Specialized synonyms: Advantage
Derivative terms: Favor, Favour, Preferment

4. Verb. Give preference to one creditor over another.
Category relationships: Jurisprudence, Law
Generic synonyms: Pay

Definition of Prefer

1. v. t. 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.

Definition of Prefer

1. Verb. (transitive now dated) To advance, promote (someone). (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges"). (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

4. Verb. (obsolete transitive) To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend ((term to)). (defdate 16th-19th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Prefer

1. to hold in higher regard or esteem [v -FERRED, -FERRING, -FERS]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Prefer

prefatigued
prefatorial
prefatorily
prefatory
prefect
prefectorial
prefects
prefectship
prefectships
prefectural
prefecture
prefectures
prefecundation
prefeminism
prefeminist
prefer (current term)
preferabilities
preferability
preferable
preferableness
preferably
preferans
preferations
prefered
preference
preference shares
preferenced
preferences
preferencing
preferential

Literary usage of Prefer

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1885)
"I therefore prefer to place the series of heating tubes in a vertical position, so that any partial separation which may take place while the liquids pass ..."

2. NBC Handbook of Pronunciationby James Frederick Bender, National Broadcasting Company, inc by James Frederick Bender, National Broadcasting Company, inc (1834)
"excellent speakers prefer to pronounce the first vowel of economics as in the word ell, ... Many persons prefer respelling to the other two systems. ..."

3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1904)
"and in fact, seem even to prefer them. Is the inch more sacred than the pound? The engineer will reply, yes, and here we come to the kernel of the whole ..."

4. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1882)
"There are many holiday purchasers who prefer standard works to new ones, and for these the Messrs. Roberts have prepared in new and handsome styles a goodly ..."

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