prefer

/prəˈfʌr/

/prɪˈfʌ/

Other forms: preferred; prefers; preferring

Prefer means to like better. If your parents prefer your sister to you, chances are her allowance will be higher and you'll get blamed for things she's done.

If someone offers you hamburgers and hot dogs, it's more polite to say, "I'd prefer a hot dog," than "Blech, hamburgers. Gag me!" Note that prefer means not just to like, but to like better––you're comparing two or more things. Whether it be chocolate ice cream over other flavors, or getting going first thing in the morning as opposed to lounging in your PJs, what you prefer is called your preference. And if you like them all the same, you can say you have no preference

Definitions of prefer

1. verb

   like better; value more highly
   “Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels”

   “We prefer sleeping outside”

   type of:

   like

   find enjoyable or agreeable
2. verb

   select as an alternative over another
   synonyms: choose, opt

   types:

   cop out, opt out

   choose not to do something, as out of fear of failing
3. verb

   promote over another
   synonyms: favor, favour

   types:

   advantage

   give an advantage to

   type of:

   advance, elevate, kick upstairs, promote, raise, upgrade

   give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
4. verb

   give preference to one creditor over another
   type of:

   pay

   give money, usually in exchange for goods or services