How to pronounce prefer
Say it like pruh-FUR. Prefer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prefer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- FUR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prefer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of prefer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: prih-FUR.
What does prefer mean?
- like better; value more highly“Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels”“We prefer sleeping outside”
- select as an alternative over another“I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant”“She opted for the job on the East coast”
- promote over another“he favors his second daughter”
Where does prefer come from?
From Middle English preferren, from Anglo-Norman preferer, from Latin praeferō.
Words that rhyme with prefer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prefer.
Questions about saying prefer
How do you pronounce prefer?
Say pruh-FUR. The American pronunciation is /prəˈfɝ/. In British English it is /prɪˈfɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prefer?
Prefer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: pruh · FUR.
Is prefer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /prɪˈfɜː/ (prih-FUR).