Definition of “prefer” - English Dictionary

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“prefer” in English

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preferverb [ T ]

uk ​ /prɪˈfɜːr/ us ​ /prɪˈfɝː/ -rr-

prefer verb [ T ] (CHOOSE)

A2 to like, choose, or want one thing rather than another:

Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
I prefer red wine to white.
[ + -ing verb ] He prefers watching football to playing it.
[ + to infinitive ] I'd prefer not to discuss this issue.
formal I'd prefer you not to smoke (= I would like it better if you did not smoke), please.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Hate, like, love and preferWe can use hate, like, love and prefer with an -ing form or with a to-infinitive: …
Prefer …
Expressing preferenceWe use prefer to say we like one thing or activity more than another. We can use a prepositional phrase with to when we compare two things or actions: …
Would preferWe use would prefer or ’d prefer, followed by a to-infinitive or a noun, to talk about present and future preferences: …

(Definition of “prefer” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“prefer” in American English

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preferverb

us ​ /prɪˈfɜr/ -rr-

› to choose or want one thing rather than another:

[ T ] We have tea and coffee, but perhaps you’d prefer a cold drink.
[ T ] He prefers watching baseball to playing it.
[ + that clause ] She prefers that we meet at the station.
[ + to infinitive ] Would you prefer to leave?

(Definition of “prefer” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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