The verb prefer has 4 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (22) prefer -- (like better; value more highly; "Some people prefer camping to staying in hotels"; "We prefer sleeping outside")
2. (17) choose, prefer, opt -- (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")
3. (1) prefer, favor, favour -- (promote over another; "he favors his second daughter")
4. prefer -- (give preference to one creditor over another)