prefer
pronunciation
How to pronounce prefer in British English:
UK [prɪˈfɜː(r)]
How to pronounce prefer in American English:
US [prɪˈfɜːr]
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- Verb:
- like better; value more highly
- select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative
- promote over another
- give preference to one creditor over another
Word Origin
- prefer
- prefer: [14] To prefer one thing is etymologically to ‘carry it before’ others. The word comes via Old French preferer from Latin praeferre ‘set before’, a compound verb formed from the prefix prae- ‘before’ and ferre ‘carry’ (source of English fertile and related to bear).=> bear
- prefer (v.)
- late 14c., "to put forward or advance in rank or fortune, to promote," from Old French preferer (14c.) and directly from Latin praeferre "place or set before, carry in front," from prae "before" (see pre-) + ferre "to carry, to place" (see infer). Meaning "to esteem (something) more than others" also is recorded from late 14c. Original sense in English is preserved in preferment.
Example
- 1. I much prefer to listen . "
- 2. Which philosophy do you prefer , and why ?
- 3. And most people seem to prefer the yammering -- both as participants and witnesses .
- 4. Do you prefer doing menswear or womenswear ?
- 5. They also prefer slightly sweet wines .