favorite

[ 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 ( def 3a ).

adjective

1. regarded with particular favor or preference:

   a favorite child.

Other Words From

• non·favor·ite noun
• pre·favor·ite noun adjective
• un·favor·ite 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

As inspirations, the guitarist cites Christo and Jean-Claude’s 2021 wrapping of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe as well as Culver City’s Museum of Jurassic Technology, which he calls one of his favorite places in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Yoakam was particularly animated about one of his favorite bands, the Byrds.

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s completing phrases on the next chord change instead of singing a single sentence within chord changes. It’s very sophisticated writing,” Yoakam said of Byrd Gene Clark as we listened to the song together, like two undergraduates in a dorm room bonding over our favorite albums.

From Los Angeles Times

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From Slate

A current favorite bit involves being on the Island of Misfit Toys with “some seriously jacked-up dolls missing pretty crucial parts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beloved
• cherished
• favored
• main
• popular
• prized
• treasured