Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

prefer

[pɹɪˈfɝ]

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.57 in modern English

Syllables
pre-fer
IPA
[pɹɪˈfɝ]
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Transitive verb

verb

To advance, promote (someone or something).

Dated; Transitive verb

verb

To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").

Transitive verb

verb

To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō. Displaced native Old English foresettan and foreberan. Doublet of prelate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as collate and confer among others.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: [pɹɪˈfɝ]
  • British English: [pɹɪˈfɜː]

Usage

Inflected Forms

prefers (present, singular) preferring (participle, present) preferred (participle, past) preferred (past) præfer (alternative, archaic) præferre (alternative, obsolete) preferre (alternative, obsolete)

Derived Forms

preferability preferee preferist

Phrases

preferred creditor preferred provider preferred stock preferred stockholder

Frequently Paired Words

nonpreferred preferable preference preferendum preferential preferer preferment preferrable

Synonyms

fain favor forechoose elevate raise uplift advance aggrandize dignify ennoble exalt honor

Antonyms

disprefer

Rhymes With

were her per sir transfer occur refer der inter fur entrepreneur stir

Questions

How do you pronounce prefer?
The recorded pronunciation is [pɹɪˈfɝ].
What does prefer mean?
To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
Where does prefer come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce prefer

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “prefer”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling ([pɹɪˈfɝ]) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “prefer”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “prefer” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.