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

Already, elected Republicans are deploying their favorite trick from the first Trump presidency: claiming they simply haven’t seen the horrible thing reporters are asking about.

From Salon

So he made a quick, early-morning trip to the flower district and visited his favorite vendors at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market and across Wall Street at the Southern California Flower Market.

From Los Angeles Times

Please pick your one favorite in each category and focus on that, or else we’ll be overwhelmed!

From New York Times

Here’s how our contributors are reimagining fall desserts, with stories and inspiration to guide you to your next favorite treat.

From Salon

Average consumers are pulling back on discretionary spending, experts say, and may be frequenting their favorite restaurants less.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

How Do You Spell Favorite?

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.