English · Word Candidate

prefer

[pɹɪˈfɝ]

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: prefers · preferring · preferred

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thích hơn, ưa chuộng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I prefer tea to coffee.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To advance, promote (someone or something).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thăng tiến, đề cao

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

VerbRegister: dated

Examples

So ſhall you haue a ſhorter iourney to your deſires, by the meanes I ſhall then haue to preferre them. And the impediment moſt profitably remoued, without the which there were no expectation of our proſperitie.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “prefer” mean?

To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.

Is “prefer” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.