Favorite

/ˈfeɪvərɪt/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonPreference
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A person or thing regarded with particular favor or preference.

/ˈfeɪvərɪt/

nounpositiveBeginner
Preference

A person or thing liked best.

My favorite animal is the dog.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a toy, a food, or even a friend that you like the MOST. That is your favorite! Like, my favorite color is blue!

👶 For kids: The thing you like best!

More Examples

2

She has a favorite book that she reads every night.

3

He always chooses his favorite flavor of ice cream.

How It's Used

General Usage

"Chocolate is my favorite dessert."

Sports

"The home team was the favorite to win."

2

Preferred before all others of the same kind.

/ˈfeɪvərɪt/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
Preference

Liked or preferred above all others.

Blue is my favorite color.

💡 Simply: When you're describing something you love the most, like your favorite pizza or your favorite teacher.

👶 For kids: Something you like the best!

More Examples

2

She made her favorite meal for dinner.

3

This is my favorite movie.

How It's Used

General Usage

"This is my favorite song."

Relationships

"She is my favorite niece."

Tip:Think of the adjective form describing something that is liked best.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

have a favorite

To have a preference for someone or something.

"I have a favorite singer."

favorite son

A person, typically a man, who is a favorite of an organization or group.

"He was considered the favorite son of the political party."

From Middle English *favourit*, from Old French *favori* (“beloved, favored”), from Latin *favourit-* (stem of *favoritus*, past participle of *favorī* (“to favor, be favorable to”)).

The word 'favorite' has been used to describe a preferred object or person since the 14th century, originally coming into English from Old French.

Memory tip

Think of your most treasured object or person; that's your favorite.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"To be favorable towards"

favorite colorfavorite foodfavorite moviefavorite bookfavorite songfavorite teamfavorite teacher

Common misspellings

favourite

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written