Like vs. Prefer — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Like and Prefer
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Definitions
Like➦
In English, the word like has a very flexible range of uses, ranging from conventional to non-standard. It can be used as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, particle, conjunction, hedge, filler, and quotative.
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
Like➦
Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to
She looked nothing like Audrey Hepburn
He used to have a car like mine
They were like brothers
Prefer➦
Submit (a charge or a piece of information) for consideration
The police will prefer charges
Like➦
Used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event
Why are you talking about me like that?
I apologize for coming over unannounced like this
Prefer➦
Promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position
He was eventually preferred to the bishopric of Durham
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Like➦
Such as; for example
The cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984
Prefer➦
To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value
Prefers coffee to tea.
Like➦
In the same way that; as
People who change countries like they change clothes
Prefer➦
To give priority or precedence to (a creditor).
Like➦
As though; as if
I felt like I'd been kicked by a camel
Prefer➦
To present (a charge) against a defendant before a court
Prefer an indictment.
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Like➦
Used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another
The quotations could be arranged to put like with like
I know him—him and his like
Prefer➦
To present (a case) to a court as ready for consideration
Prefer the case for trial.
Like➦
The things one likes or prefers
A wide variety of likes, dislikes, tastes, and income levels
Prefer➦
(Archaic) To recommend for advancement or appointment; promote.
Like➦
(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing
I responded in like manner
The grouping of children of like ability together
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.
Like➦
Used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker's uncertainty about an expression just used
There was this funny smell—sort of dusty like
Prefer➦
To advance, promote (someone or something).
Like➦
Used to convey a person's reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation)
So she comes into the room and she's like ‘Where is everybody?’
Prefer➦
(transitive) To present or submit (something) to an authority (now usually in "to prefer charges").
Like➦
In the manner of
Like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed
Prefer➦
To put forward for acceptance; to introduce, recommend (to).
Like➦
Find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory
People who don't like reading books
All his classmates liked him
I like to be the centre of attention
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.
Like➦
Wish for; want
I'd like to hire a car
Would you like a cup of coffee?
I'd like you to stay
Prefer➦
To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to surpass.
Like➦
To find pleasant or attractive; enjoy
Do you like ice cream? I like your style.
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.
Like➦
To want to have
I would like some coffee.
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.
Like➦
To prefer
How would you like your coffee—with sugar or without?.
Prefer➦
Like better; value more highly;
Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels
We prefer sleeping outside
Like➦
To feel about; regard
How do you like these new theater seats?.
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
Like➦
To believe or predict that (a certain competitor) will win a contest
Which team do you like in tonight's game?.
Prefer➦
Promote over another;
He favors his second daughter
Like➦
To perform well under (a given condition) or using (a given feature)
This car does not like cold weather. The engine does not like enriched fuel.
Prefer➦
Give preference to one creditor over another
Like➦
(Archaic) To be pleasing to.
Like➦
To have an inclination or a preference
If you like, we can meet you there.
Like➦
(Scots) To be pleased.
Like➦
Something that is liked; a preference
Made a list of his likes and dislikes.
Like➦
One similar to or like another. Used with the
Was subject to coughs, asthma, and the like.
Like➦
Often likes(Informal) An equivalent or similar person or thing; an equal or match
I've never seen the likes of this before. We'll never see his like again.
Like➦
Possessing the characteristics of; resembling closely; similar to
Your house is like mine.
Like➦
In the typical manner of
It's not like you to take offense.
Like➦
In the same way as
Lived like royalty.
Like➦
Inclined or disposed to
Felt like running away.
Like➦
As if the probability exists for
Looks like a bad year for farmers.
Like➦
Such as; for example
Saved things like old newspapers and pieces of string.
Like➦
Possessing the same or almost the same characteristics; similar
On this and like occasions.
Like➦
In the manner of being; as if. Used as an intensifier of action
Worked like hell.
Ran like crazy.
Like➦
(Informal) Probably; likely
Like as not she'll change her mind.
Like➦
Nearly; approximately
The price is more like 1,000 dollars.
Like➦
(Nonstandard) Used to provide emphasis or to focus attention on something
Let's like talk about this for a minute. It's like so crowded you can't move.
Like➦
In the same way that; as
To dance like she does requires great discipline.
Like➦
As if
It looks like we'll finish on time.
Like➦
To enjoy, be pleased by; favor; be in favor of.
I like hamburgers.
I like skiing in winter.
I like the Seattle Mariners this season.
Like➦
To please.
Like➦
(obsolete) To derive pleasure of, by or with someone or something.
Like➦
To prefer and maintain (an action) as a regular habit or activity.
I like to go to the dentist every six months.
She likes to keep herself physically fit.
We like to keep one around the office just in case.
Like➦
(obsolete) To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
Like➦
(archaic) To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly.
He liked to have been too late.
Like➦
To find attractive; to prefer the company of; to have mild romantic feelings for.
I really like Sandra but don't know how to tell her.
Like➦
(obsolete) To liken; to compare.
Like➦
To show support for, or approval of, something posted on the Internet by marking it with a vote.
I liked my friend's last status on Facebook.
I can't stand Bloggs' tomato ketchup, but I liked it on Facebook so I could enter a competition.
Like➦
(with 'would' and in certain other phrases) To want, desire. See also would like.
Would you like a cigarette?
We could go to the museum if you like.
I don't like to disturb him when he's working.
Like➦
To accept as an input.
We were frustrated that our seeming innocent choice for a team name was rejected by the censor. Apparently somewhere in the name is a word that the censor doesn’t like.
Like➦
To be likely.
Like➦
Something that a person likes (prefers).
Tell me your likes and dislikes.
Like➦
(internet) An individual vote showing support for, approval of, or enjoyment of, something posted on the Internet.
Like➦
(sometimes as the likes of) Someone similar to a given person, or something similar to a given object; a comparative; a type; a sort.
There were bowls full of sweets, chocolates and the like.
It was something the likes of which I had never seen before.
Like➦
(golf) The stroke that equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side.
To play the like
Like➦
Similar.
My partner and I have like minds.
The two cats were as like as though they had come from the same litter.
Like➦
Likely; probable.
Like➦
Inclined (to), prone (to).
He seems like to run from any semblance of hard work.
Like➦
Likely.
Like➦
In a like or similar manner.
Like➦
(colloquial) As, the way.
Like➦
As if; as though.
It looks like you've finished the project.
It seemed like you didn't care.
Like➦
Similar to, reminiscent of
Like➦
Typical of
It would be just like Achilles to be sulking in his tent.
Like➦
Approximating
Popcorn costs something like $10 dollars at the movies.
Like➦
In the manner of, similarly to
He doesn't act like a president.
Like➦
Such as
It's for websites like Wikipedia.
Like➦
As if there would be
It looks like a hot summer in Europe.
Like➦
Used to ask for a description or opinion of someone or something
I hear she has a new boyfriend. What's he like?
What's the weather like in Ürümqi today?
Like➦
Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; - often with in and the particulars of the resemblance; as, they are like each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character.
'T is as like youAs cherry is to cherry.
Like master, like man.
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
Like➦
Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent.
More clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the like space before.
Like➦
Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely.
But it is like the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices.
Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to conform themselves to strict rules.
Like➦
Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk.
Had like to have been my utter overthrow.
Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time.
Like➦
That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.
He was a man, take him for all in all,I shall not look upon his like again.
Like➦
A liking; a preference; inclination; - usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.
Like➦
The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.
Like➦
In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.
He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Like➦
In a like or similar manner.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Like➦
Likely; probably.
Like➦
To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.
Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there.
I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature.
Like➦
To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.
He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving.
Like➦
To liken; to compare.
Like me to the peasant boys of France.
Like➦
To be pleased; to choose.
He may either go or stay, as he best likes.
Like➦
To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
You like well, and bear your years very well.
Like➦
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Like➦
Find enjoyable or agreeable;
I like jogging
She likes to read Russian novels
Like➦
Be fond of;
I like my nephews
Like➦
Feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard;
How did you like the President's speech last night?
Like➦
Want to have;
I'd like a beer now!
Like➦
Resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination;
Suits of like design
A limited circle of like minds
Members of the cat family have like dispositions
As like as two peas in a pod
Doglike devotion
A dreamlike quality
Like➦
Equal in amount or value;
Like amounts
Equivalent amounts
The same amount
Gave one six blows and the other a like number
An equal number
The same number
Like➦
Having the same or similar characteristics;
All politicians are alike
They looked utterly alike
Friends are generaly alike in background and taste
Like➦
Conforming in every respect;
Boxes with corresponding dimensions
The like period of the preceding year
