Spell "preference" without a P (7)
I believe the answer is:
enchant
'spell' is the definition.
(I know that enchant is a is a kind of of spell)
'preference without a 'p' is the wordplay.
'preference' becomes 'penchant' (synonyms).
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'penchant' with 'p' removed is 'ENCHANT'.
(Other definitions for enchant that I've seen before include "Appeal" , "Delight or bewitch" , "Delight, charm" , "Entrance" , "Bewitch, charm" .)