Choose vs. Prefer — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Choose and Prefer
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Compare with Definitions
Choose
To select from a number of possible alternatives; decide on and pick out
Which book did you choose at the library?.
Prefer
Like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose
Val would presumably prefer that you didn't get arrested
I prefer Venice to Rome
I would prefer to discuss the matter in private
Choose
To prefer above others
Chooses the supermarket over the neighborhood grocery store.
Prefer
Submit (a charge or a piece of information) for consideration
The police will prefer charges
Choose
To determine or decide
Chose to fly rather than drive.
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Prefer
Promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position
He was eventually preferred to the bishopric of Durham
Choose
To make a choice; make a selection
Was used to doing as she chose.
Prefer
To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value
Prefers coffee to tea.
Choose
To pick; to make the choice of; to select.
I chose a nice ripe apple from the fruit bowl.
Prefer
To give priority or precedence to (a creditor).
Choose
To elect.
He was chosen as president in 1990.
Prefer
To present (a charge) against a defendant before a court
Prefer an indictment.
Choose
To decide to act in a certain way.
I chose to walk to work today.
Prefer
To present (a case) to a court as ready for consideration
Prefer the case for trial.
Choose
To prefer; to wish; to desire.
Prefer
(Archaic) To recommend for advancement or appointment; promote.
Choose
(mathematics) The binomial coefficient of the previous and following number.
The number of distinct subsets of size k from a set of size n is or "n choose k".
Prefer
(transitive) To be in the habit of choosing something rather than something else; to favor; to like better.
I prefer tea to coffee.
I'd prefer it if you didn't do it.
Choose
The act of choosing; selection.
Prefer
To advance, promote (someone or something).
Choose
The power, right, or privilege of choosing; election.
Prefer
(transitive) To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
Choose
To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils.
Choose me for a humble friend.
Prefer
To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).
Choose
To wish; to desire; to prefer.
The landlady now returned to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment.
Prefer
To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one; hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; - said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc.
He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.
Presently prefer his suit to Cæsar.
Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.
Choose
To make a selection; to decide.
They had only to choose between implicit obedience and open rebellion.
Prefer
To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.
Choose
To do otherwise.
Thou canst not choose but know who I am.
Prefer
To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote; as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.
I would prefer him to a better place.
Choose
Pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives;
Take any one of these cards
Choose a good husband for your daughter
She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her
Prefer
To set above or before something else in estimation, favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to hold in greater favor; to choose rather; - often followed by to, before, or above.
If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.
Choose
Select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative;
I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant
She opted for the job on the East coast
Prefer
Like better; value more highly;
Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels
We prefer sleeping outside
Choose
See fit or proper to act in a certain way; decide to act in a certain way;
She chose not to attend classes and now she failed the exam
Prefer
Select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative;
I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant
She opted for the job on the East coast
Prefer
Promote over another;
He favors his second daughter
Prefer
Give preference to one creditor over another
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