prefer /priˈfə:/ vt. (preferred; preferring /priˈfə:riŋ/) 宁可，宁愿；更喜欢（跟介词to、不定式作宾语或宾语补足语、that从句和v-ing）：I prefer dogs to cats. 我喜欢狗，不喜欢猫。I prefer Venice to Rome. 我喜欢威尼斯胜过罗马。The heroine preferred to die. 女英雄宁愿自我牺牲。［考句］ Mr. Johnson preferred to be given heavier work to do.约翰逊先生宁可有/被给予更重的活干。I should prefer you not to stay there too long. 我倒希望你不要在那儿呆得太久。We prefer that the plan should be fully discussed before being put into practice. 我们宁愿在计划实施前加以充分讨论。I prefer being alone. 我宁愿一个人呆着。 prefer… rather than 宁愿…而不愿： I would prefer to spend the weekend at home rather than drive/driving all the way to your mother’s. 我宁愿在家过周末，而不愿开车走老远路到你娘家去。［考句］We preferred to postpone the meeting rather than hold it without the presence of our president.如果总统/主任/主席不来我们宁愿推迟会议。
preferred adj. 首选的，优先的：Health without riches is preferable to riches without health.无财富的健康和有财富不健康相比还是选择前者。The first choice is preferable to the second. (两种选择中)第一种比第二种更可取。
preferable /ˈprefərəbl/ adj. 更好的，更可取的，更合意的(to)：The first choice is preferable to the second. (两种选择中)第一种比第二种更可取。［考句］A dark suit is preferable to a light one for evening wear.晚服应该是深色的比淡色得更合适。
preference /ˈprefərəns/ n. 1.更加的喜爱，偏爱（for, to）: I’d choose the small car in preference to the larger one. 我宁可选择那辆小的汽车而不要那辆大的。have(develop) a preference(s) for （产生）偏爱…，更喜爱… ：［考句］Every culture has developed preferences for certain kinds of food and drink, and equally strong negative attitudes toward others.每一种文化都产生了自身偏好的某些食品和饮料，并且同时对其他的食品和饮料保持强烈的否定态度。2.优先(权)：preference stock/share/bond 优先股
