Wrongly state a preference (5)
I believe the answer is:
taste
'a preference' is the definition.
('taste' can be a synonym of 'preference')
'wrongly state' is the wordplay.
'wrongly' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'state' with letters rearranged gives 'TASTE'.
(Other definitions for taste that I've seen before include "Take mouthful" , "Brief sample; discernment" , "Sense showing refinement" , "Savour, relish" , "to eat in small amounts" .)