# prefer

/pɹəˈfɝ/ (US) · /pɹɪfˈɜː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prefer
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to like better

verb · CEFR A1

to like one thing or person more than another.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. to present charges

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to officially bring a legal charge or complaint against someone.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- I prefer tea to coffee.
- Most students in the class prefer working in small groups rather than listening to a long lecture.
- While some investors seek high-risk opportunities for rapid growth, others prefer the stability of government bonds despite the lower interest rates.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.