Word
prefer
Phoneticspre·fer, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹəˈfɝ/
UK/pɹɪfˈɜː/
Definitions
01to like better
A1 · Beginner
v. to like one thing or person more than another.
v. to favor one person or thing over another; to hold in higher estimation.
“I usually prefer tea to coffee in the morning because it is lighter.”
“Most consumers in the survey indicated that they prefer organic produce to conventional alternatives, despite the significant price difference.”
Usage
When followed by another verb, use the '-ing' form or a 'to-infinitive'.
Pitfall
I prefer coffee than tea.
I prefer coffee to tea.
When comparing two things with 'prefer', use the preposition 'to', not 'than'.
02to present charges
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
v. to officially bring a legal charge or complaint against someone.
v. to present or submit a formal statement or accusation to an authority for consideration.
“The police decided to prefer charges against the driver after the accident.”
“The prosecutor must decide whether there is sufficient evidence to prefer formal charges against the suspect before the hearing begins.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the collocation 'to prefer charges'.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized legal use; in everyday conversation, people usually say 'press charges'.
Etymology
From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō. Displaced native Old English foresettan and foreberan. Doublet of prelate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as collate and confer among others.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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