prefer meaning
prefer :
to like something more than something else, to choose something over another
verb
▪ I prefer tea to coffee.
▪ I like tea more than coffee.
▪ She prefers to walk rather than drive.
▪ She chooses walking instead of driving.
paraphrasing
▪ favor – to like something more
▪ choose – to select something
▪ opt – to decide on something
▪ select – to choose something
Pronunciation
prefer [prɪˈfɜːr]
The stress is on the second syllable 'fer' and sounds like 'pri-FUR'.
Common phrases and grammar about prefer
prefer - Common meaning
verb
to like something more than something else, to choose something over another
Part of Speech Changes for "prefer"
▪ preference (noun) – a greater liking for one thing
▪ preferential (adjective) – giving advantage to something
▪ preferably (adverb) – if possible or preferably
Common Expressions with "prefer"
▪ prefer to do something – choose to do an action
▪ prefer A to B – like A more than B
▪ prefer something over something – choose one thing over another
▪ prefer someone over someone – choose one person more
Important examples of prefer in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC word questions, prefer is used to express liking one thing more than another.
Example of a confusing word: refer (to mention)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC grammar questions, prefer is used as a verb that requires objects in a sentence.
prefer
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
prefer A to B
means liking A more than B.
Differences between similar words and prefer
prefer
,
like
differences
prefer is used to indicate a greater liking for something over another, while like is a general liking without comparison.
prefer
,
favor
differences
prefer means to like something more than another, while favor often means to support or approve something.
Words with the same origin as prefer
The origin of prefer
'prefer' comes from the Latin word 'praeferre', meaning 'to carry before' or 'to choose first'.
Word structure
The word 'prefer' is composed of the prefix 'pre' (before) and the root 'fer' (carry).
Words with the same origin
The root of 'prefer' is 'fer' (carry). Words with the same root include 'transfer', 'refer', 'defer', 'confer'.
