v.
Pronunciation: pri- ' f ə r
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: pre · ferred ; pre · fer · ring
Etymology: Middle English preferren, from Anglo-French preferrer, from Latin praeferre to put before, prefer, from prae- + ferre to carry ― more at BEAR
Date: 14th century
1 : to promote or advance to a rank or position
2 : to like better or best < prefer s sports to reading> < prefer s to watch TV>
3 : to give (a creditor) priority
4 archaic : to put or set forward or before someone : RECOMMEND
5 : to bring or lay against someone <won't prefer charges>
6 : to bring forward or lay before one for consideration
– pre · fer · rer noun