PREF

Pref is a common abbreviation used in English to denote several distinct concepts, depending on the context. It is most frequently encountered as shorthand for preferences in software settings. In user interfaces and configuration files, a program may expose a "Preferences" dialog or a "prefs" file where users customize options such as themes, languages, and behavior. The term "pref" appears in the naming of files or variables, for example prefs.js in some browsers, as well as in mobile and desktop applications' codebases.

In geography, "pref" is used as an abbreviation for prefecture, a territorial division in Japan. In English-language texts and datasets, you might see "pref." appended to the name of a prefecture to indicate its status within the Japanese administrative hierarchy.

In other technical contexts, "pref" can serve as a shorthand in naming conventions to indicate a related group of settings, fields, or parameters. The exact meaning of "pref" relies on the domain and the naming conventions of the project or publication.

Etymology: the abbreviation derives from the longer words it represents, chiefly "preference" and "prefecture." It is not a formal standalone word with a single definition; rather, it is a contextual shorthand used across software, geography, and data documentation.

See also: preference, preferences file, Prefecture, Japan, config file.