Definition and meaning of English word "prefer"
prefer
/ˈpriːfər/
Meaning
VerbTo be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
How to use
The verb 'prefer' is commonly used in everyday conversation and formal writing to express a personal choice or liking for something over another. It often appears in the present simple tense to describe general preferences, as in 'I prefer coffee to tea.' A common mistake learners make is using 'prefer' with the infinitive instead of the gerund or a prepositional phrase, for example, saying 'I prefer to eat' instead of 'I prefer eating' or 'I prefer to eat rather than sleep.'
🇬🇧 English
prefer
Example
I prefer reading books over watching TV.
She prefers to work alone.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- prefer someone to someone else— prefer someone to someone else
- prefer something to something else— prefer something to something else
- prefer doing something— prefer doing something
More Extended Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #469 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "prefer" mean?▼
The English word "prefer" means "prefer" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "prefer"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "prefer" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "prefer"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I prefer reading books over watching TV." (which translates as "prefer").
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