1like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose:I prefer Venice to Rome [with infinitive]:I would prefer to discuss the matter in private [with clause]:Val would presumably prefer that you didn’t get arrested
2 formal submit (a charge or a piece of information) for consideration:the police will prefer charges
3 archaic promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position:he was eventually preferred to the bishopric of Durham