Prefer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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prefer

[prɪˈfəː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in making a choice

Like many people, she prefers to sleep in on weekends. She prefers tea to coffee. He prefers action movies to romantic comedies.

Synonyms

choose, favor, opt for, select.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prefer	Use when expressing a greater liking for one alternative over another. It suggests a strong inclination without any overt action. I prefer tea over coffee. She prefers reading books to watching movies.
choose	Used when making a decision between two or more options. It often implies an action has been taken to make the decision. He will choose the best route for the trip. You need to choose between staying or leaving.
favor	Implies a partiality or bias towards something, often because of personal preference. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation if the bias is unfair. The judge seemed to favor the defendant. She favors vanilla ice cream over chocolate.
opt for	Use when indicating a choice or preference among multiple options, often after some consideration. They decided to opt for a smaller car. He opted for the vegetarian meal.
select	Use when choosing something based on specific criteria or standards. Often implies a careful and deliberate choice. The committee will select the candidates next week. She was selected for the lead role in the play.

Examples of usage

I prefer the blue one over the red one.
She prefers to work alone rather than in a team.
Do you prefer cats or dogs as pets?

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in liking or enjoying something more than something else

I prefer Italian food over Chinese food. She prefers reading books to watching TV. He prefers winter sports to summer sports.

Synonyms

enjoy more, favor, favour, like better.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prefer	Used when you have a stronger liking for one option over another. It's often used in formal writing or conversation. I prefer tea over coffee in the morning. She prefers reading books to watching movies.
like better	A more informal and conversational way to express preference. It's straightforward and easy to understand. I like better spending my weekends in nature. She likes better the new restaurant over the old one.
favour	This is the British English spelling of 'favor' and has the same usage and connotations. It can be used in British formal contexts. The policy seems to favour large corporations. In British literature, authors often favour complex sentences.
enjoy more	Used when one option brings you more pleasure or satisfaction than another. Suitable for informal conversations or casual writing. I enjoy more going to the beach than staying at home. He enjoys more playing soccer than studying.
favor	Often used in formal contexts, 'favor' implies preference or partiality, sometimes suggesting a bias. Can also have a legal or political connotation. The judge should not favor any side in the lawsuit. The coach favors experienced players over newcomers.

Examples of usage

I prefer to listen to music rather than watch TV.
She prefers to travel by train rather than by bus.
Do you prefer sweet or savory foods?

^{Context #3 | Verb}

in giving priority or precedence to one thing over another

The company prefers to hire candidates with experience. He prefers to deal with issues in person rather than over the phone. She prefers quality over quantity.

Synonyms

choose, favor, give precedence to, prioritize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prefer	Use when expressing a liking for one option over another in a general sense. I prefer coffee over tea. Do you prefer summer or winter holidays?
prioritize	Use when arranging actions or tasks in order of importance, especially in a work or project context. You need to prioritize your tasks for the day. The manager prioritized the project deadlines.
give precedence to	Use when indicating that one option is more important than others and should be prioritized. Often used in formal contexts. We give precedence to urgent matters in our meetings. The company gives precedence to safety over profit.
favor	Use when indicating a bias or support for one option over others. It can have a slight negative connotation if it implies unfair bias. The coach seems to favor the experienced players. In decision-making, try not to favor your friends.
choose	Use when making a decision or selection among multiple options. You need to choose a movie for tonight. She chose the blue dress for the party.

Examples of usage

I prefer to finish this project before starting a new one.
She prefers to address customer complaints immediately.
Do you prefer to pay by cash or credit card?

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Research indicates that people are more likely to prefer options that are presented first in a list due to cognitive biases.
The phenomenon known as 'choice overload' suggests that too many options can make it harder to prefer one over others.
Psychological studies reveal that preferences can be shaped by past experiences and social influences.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, expressing preference is tied to social status, as certain choices may signify wealth or sophistication.
Food preferences often vary by culture, influencing what is served during celebrations or daily meals.
Fashion preferences can reflect cultural identities and personal expression, with trends often emerging from distinct societal influences.

Linguistics

The structure of the word allows for variations like 'preferred' (past tense) and 'preference' (noun), showing its versatility in language.
Similar words in other languages, such as 'preferir' in Spanish and 'préfèrer' in French, share the same roots but reflect unique grammatical rules.
In language, how one expresses preference can vary widely, highlighting the importance of context in communication.

Origin of 'prefer'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from Latin 'praeferre', meaning 'to carry before', illustrating the idea of favoring one thing over another.
Old French adopted the term as 'preferer', which was later incorporated into English around the 14th century.
The prefix 'pre-' conveys the sense of prioritization, showing that preference is about making choices.

The word 'prefer' comes from the Latin word 'praeferre', which means 'to carry in front, to bring forward'. The concept of preference has been a part of human decision-making for centuries, as people have always had choices and the ability to select one option over another based on their likes, priorities, or beliefs.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,389, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3386 terrible
3387 colonial
3388 personally
3389 prefer
3390 threatened
3391 operative
3392 moon
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