| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024pre•fer /prɪˈfɜr/USA pronunciation v. [not: be + ~-ing], -ferred, -fer•ring. - to set or hold before or above other persons or things: [~ + object]She prefers cheese, if you have some.[~ + verb-ing]She prefers running to walking.[~ + object + to + object]I prefer school to work.[~ + to + verb]She prefers to take a nap after a big meal.[~ + that clause]He preferred that we meet him outside his apartment.[no object]I'll come with you or, if you prefer, I'll wait outside.
Idioms- Idioms, Law prefer charges, to make or place an accusation of wrongdoing, a crime, etc., against another.
See -fer-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024pre•fer (pri fûr′),USA pronunciation v.t., -ferred, -fer•ring. - to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better;
choose rather than:to prefer beef to chicken. - Lawto give priority, as to one creditor over another.
- to put forward or present (a statement, suit, charge, etc.) for consideration or sanction.
- to put forward or advance, as in rank or office;
promote:to be preferred for advancement.
- Latin praeferre to bear before, set before, prefer, equivalent. to prae- pre- + ferre to bear1
- Middle English preferre 1350–1400
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged favor, fancy. See choose.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged offer, proffer, tender.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged reject.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged retract.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: prefer /prɪˈfɜː/ vb ( -fers, -ferring, -ferred)- (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to like better or value more highly: I prefer to stand
- (esp of the police) to put (charges) before a court, judge, magistrate, etc, for consideration and judgment
- (tr; often passive) to advance in rank over another or others; promote
Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin praeferre to carry in front, prefer, from prae in front + ferre to bearUSAGE
Normally, to is used after prefer and preferable, not than: I prefer Brahms to Tchaikovsky; a small income is preferable to no income at all. However, than or rather than should be used to link infinitives: I prefer to walk than/rather than to catch the train |