1
[ verb ] like better; value more highly

Examples

"Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels" "We prefer sleeping outside"

Used in print

(The Dallas Morning News,...)

State representatives decided Thursday against taking_a_poll on what kind of taxes Texans would prefer to pay .

(The Providence Journal...)

I must say , however , that I preferred the acting that had something of a biting edge to it .

(Edward P. Lawton, "Northern Liberals and Southern...)

Their own easier , slower tempo is especially dear to Southerners ; and I have heard many say that they are content to earn a half or a third as_much_as they could up North because they so much prefer the quieter habits of their home_town .

(Max F. Millikan and Donald L. M. Blackmer,...)

With_respect_to those countries whose leaders prefer to live with their illusions , we can afford to wait , for in_time their comparative lack of progress will become clear for all to see .

(Irving Stone, The Agony and the Ecstasy....)

`` What kind of models would you prefer '' ?

Related terms

like preference

2
[ verb ] select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative

Synonyms

choose opt_for opt

Examples

"I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant" "She opted for the job on the East coast"

Used in print

(B. J. D. Meeuse, The Story of Pollination....)

Most species seem to prefer a ready-made hollow such_as a deserted mouse_nest , a bird_house , or the hole made by a woodpecker ; some show a definite liking for making their nest in moss .

(Clifford H. Pope, The Giant Snakes....)

However , many herpetologists remain skeptical and would prefer a tentative maximum of about 30 feet .

(Howard Fast, April Morning....)

I have observed that being up on a horse changes the whole character of a man , and when a very small man is up on a saddle , he 'd like as not prefer to eat his meals there .

(Jane Gilmore Rushing, "Against the Moon,"...)

There were not many chairs , so that some preferred to sit on the edge of the porch , resting their feet on the ground , and_others liked to sit where they could lean_back against the wall .

(Leo Lemon, "Catch Up With" and "Something to...)

We would have preferred , however , to have had the rest of the orchestra refrain_from laughing at this and other spots on the recording , since it mars an otherwise sober , if not lofty , performance .

Related terms

opt_out choice compare

3
[ verb ] promote over another

Synonyms

favor favour

Examples

"he favors his second daughter"

Used in print

(The Washington Post...)

A_few of them said they `` preferred contemporary art '' .

Related terms

promote advantage favor

4
[ verb ] give preference to one creditor over another; in law

Related terms

pay law

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