n. 1
The selection of one thing or person over others (with the main adposition being "for" in relation to the thing or person, but possibly also "of")
He has a preference for crisp wines.
n. 2
The option to so select, and the one selected.
Can I keep my preferences when I upgrade to the new version of this application?
n. 3
The state of being preferred over others.

Related words

Phrases: preference share preference stock sexual preference

Forms

Plural: preferences → predilections, likes, likings, tastes…

Choose the right word

Preference, Choice, Pick, Election, Alternative or Resource?

A choice, pick, election, or preference is that which suits one best; an alternative is that to which one is restricted; a resource, that to which one is glad to betake oneself.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

taste My wife's taste in clothes is different from mine.
liking Fred took a liking to Jane and started dating her.
penchant Women have a natural penchant for the mysterious.
predilection She always had a predilection for round numbers.
choice A pizza topped with mozzarella is my first choice.
orientation We will have a period of orientation for freshmen.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
preference		steady
taste		rising
liking		rising
penchant		rising
predilection		steady
choice		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: way¹, bag¹
4 letters: will¹, like¹, bias²
5 letters: taste¹, favor², fancy²
6 letters: choice¹, option², favour², liking²
8 letters: election³, pleasure², penchant², volition³, druthers²
9 letters: selection³
10 letters: precedence³, propensity⁴, proclivity⁴, precedency, forechoice
11 letters: alternative⁴, orientation⁵, inclination⁴
12 letters: predilection⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (bias² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: préférence
Italiano: preferenza
Deutsch: Vorzug