penchant vs preference

penchant and preference both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
penchant	Yes	No	No	No
preference	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, penchant and preference are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of penchant include predilection, taste.

penchant (noun)	preference (noun)
a strong liking	grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties)
	the right or chance to choose
	a predisposition in favor of something
	a strong liking