prefer
prih-FUR
Prefer (verb) means to like one thing better than another. Example: “I prefer tea to coffee in the mornings.”
verb
1
To like one thing better than another.
"I prefer tea to coffee in the mornings."
"She prefers to work from home whenever possible."
"Would you prefer the window seat or the one next to the aisle?"
How to use prefer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo choose or favor one option over another.
Common mistake
Use "prefer X to Y" (not "prefer X than Y") — "I prefer tea to coffee," not "than coffee."
Common pairings
prefer something to something else
would prefer
prefer not to
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- prefers
- Past tense
- preferred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ tea to coffee in the mornings.
Etymology
From Latin praeferre, \"to carry before, put first,\" from prae- (\"before\") plus ferre (\"to carry\").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for prefer
See all rhymes for prefer →Frequently asked questions
What does “prefer” mean?
The word “prefer” means to like one thing better than another. In plain terms, to choose or favor one option over another.
How do you pronounce “prefer”?
“Prefer” is pronounced prih-FUR ([pɹɪˈfɝ] in IPA).
How do you use “prefer” in a sentence?
Here is “prefer” used in a sentence: “I prefer tea to coffee in the mornings.”
What part of speech is “prefer”?
“Prefer” is a verb.
Where does the word “prefer” come from?
The word “prefer” comes from Latin. From Latin praeferre, \"to carry before, put first,\" from prae- (\"before\") plus ferre (\"to carry\").
Is “prefer” a common word?
“Prefer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'prefer' and 'like'?
'Like' simply means to find something pleasant or enjoyable. 'Prefer' is comparative — it means to like one thing more than another when choosing between them. You can like several things equally, but to prefer is to rank one above the rest and lean toward it.
How do you use 'prefer' in a sentence?
You can prefer a thing ('I prefer tea'), prefer one thing to another ('I prefer tea to coffee'), or prefer doing something ('I prefer walking'). To state a choice between actions, 'prefer to do rather than do' is common, as in 'I prefer to walk rather than drive.'
What is the difference between 'prefer' and 'would rather'?
Both express liking one option more, but they are built differently. 'Prefer' is a verb: 'I prefer tea.' 'Rather', in 'would rather', is followed by a bare verb: 'I would rather have tea.' They convey the same choice, just with different grammar and a slightly more casual tone for 'would rather'.
What is the noun form of 'prefer'?
The noun is 'preference', meaning a greater liking for one thing over another, as in 'a preference for quiet evenings.' The related adjective is 'preferable', meaning more desirable, and the adverb is 'preferably', used to state which option is favoured.
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