favorite

especially British, fa·vour·ite

[fey-ver-it, feyv-rit]

noun

1. a person or thing regarded with special favor or preference.

   That song is an old favorite of mine.

2. Sports.,  a competitor considered likely to win.

3. a person or thing popular with the public.

4. a person treated with special or undue favor by a king, official, etc..

   favorites at the court.

5. Digital Technology.,  bookmark.

adjective

1. regarded with particular favor or preference.

   a favorite child.

Other Word Forms

• nonfavorite noun
• prefavorite noun
• unfavorite adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of favorite¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Middle French, from Italian favorito, “favored,” past participle of favorire “to favor, support,” from favore “favor, goodwill”; favor, -ite ²

Example Sentences

Burton routinely blocked legislation that increased the length of prison sentences but was a favorite of the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., which represents prison guards.

From Los Angeles Times

Steadily, “Sirât” has become, since its debut at Cannes in May, a growing favorite: not merely a critic’s darling but an obsession among those who’ve seen it.

From Los Angeles Times

He is, after all, a theme park regular, although his favorite rides are found a few miles from Universal Studios in Anaheim.

From Los Angeles Times

And it’s not just newspapers being gutted; your favorite late-night talk show is on the chopping block, too.

From Salon

It reminds me of Sea Ranch, my favorite place in the world, where I’ll eat oysters and drink white wine and watch the sunset.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beloved 
• cherished www.thesaurus.com
• favored 
• main 
• popular 
• prized www.thesaurus.com
• treasured www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

Spelling tips for favorite

The word favorite is hard to spell for two reasons. First, in British English it is spelled with a u (favourite), unlike the American English spelling favorite. Second, the final e is silent.How to spell favorite:  When you do someone a favor, you don't do it for yourself. So, there is no u in favor. Now that we have the beginning of the word down, how do we remember the e in -ite? Well, it wouldn't be anything without an Ending (an e at the end). Put the two together and you get favorite.