Prefer I Firm Preferred Verb Prɪˈfɜː(R Prɪˈfɜːr Coffee

• ‘coffee or tea?’ ‘i'd prefer tea, thanks.’
• i would prefer it if you didn't tell anyone.
• a local firm is to be preferred.
• a short-term fixed rate is the preferred option.

prefer

Verb Forms

1. to like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than something else because you like it better
• ‘Coffee or tea?’ ‘I'd prefer tea, thanks.’
• I would prefer it if you didn't tell anyone.
• A local firm is to be preferred.
• A short-term fixed rate is the preferred option.
• I much prefer jazz to rock music.
• I prefer quality to quantity.
• A few people still prefer landlines over mobiles.
• Relevant experience is preferred over formal education.
• I prefer my coffee black.
• I much prefer to travel by train.
• The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
• I prefer not to think about it.
• She won't discuss her plans in detail, preferring instead to wait until after the election.
• Would you prefer me to stay?
• I prefer playing in defence.
• I would prefer that you did not mention my name.

Extra Examples

• Employers naturally prefer candidates with some previous experience of the job.
• I greatly prefer this version.
• I happen to prefer action movies myself.
• I prefer his earlier paintings to his later ones.
• Industries still tend to prefer virgin raw materials to recycled ones.
• I would really prefer to teach girls.
• We can eat out if you like, but I would prefer to stay in.
• You may simply prefer just to sit on the terrace with a cocktail.
2. to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in court
• Police have brought a charge of dangerous driving against the man.
• Many victims of crime are reluctant to press charges against their attackers.
• She laid charges against the firm for not complying with the regulations.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French preferer, from Latin praeferre, from prae ‘before’ + ferre ‘to bear, carry’.