Favorite — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈfā-v(ə-)rət/ fa·vor·ite

Meaning & Definition of Favorite

Favorite (noun)

  1. one that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking; especially, a person who is specially loved, trusted, or provided with favors by someone of high rank or authority
  2. a competitor judged most likely to win

Favorite (adjective)

  1. constituting a favorite; especially, markedly popular

Favorite (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. granted special treatment or attention

    "that teacher claims not to have any favorite students, although many in the class would disagree"

    similar: beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed
    related: admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred
    opposite: unbeloved
    near: abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged

  2. singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking

    "mint chocolate chip is my favorite flavor of ice cream"

    similar: cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, favored, first-line, handpicked, picked, preferred, select, selected, of choice
    related: fashionable, exclusive, culled, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out)
    near: average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill

  3. enjoying widespread favor or approval

    "a radio station that mostly plays favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s"

    similar: big, crowd-pleasing, du jour, faddish, faddy, fashionable, happening, hot, in, large, modish, pop, popular, popularized, red-hot, vogue, voguish
    related: semipopular, preferred, selected, desirable, liked, wanted, celebrated, famed, famous, noted, notorious, prominent, renowned, well-known, fabled, fabulous, legendary, leading, notable, outstanding, remarkable, important, significant
    opposite: out, unfashionable, unpopular
    near: washed-up, despised, detested, disliked, hated, rejected, insignificant, unimportant, indistinguished, unexceptional, anonymous, nameless, obscure, unknown, inconspicuous

Favorite (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person or thing that is preferred over others

    "the youngest child was always Mother's favorite"

    similar: darling, fave, minion, pet, preference, speed, cup of tea
    related: beloved, dear, sweetheart, jewel, prize, treasure
    near: abomination, anathema, bête noire, bugbear

Related Entry: Favorite son (noun)

Favorite son is a different word from Favorite. The synonyms below are for favorite son, not for favorite.

  1. as in crown prince

    similar: crown prince, dark horse, spoiler, stalking horse, claimant, pretender, competitor, contestant, entrant, entry, favorite, qualifier, nominee, running mate, applicant, applier, aspirant, campaigner, candidate, contender, expectant, hopeful, prospect, seeker
    opposite: noncandidate, incumbent, officeholder, awardee, honoree, inductee, dropout

Related Entry: Favorite sons (noun)

Favorite sons is a different word from Favorite. The synonyms below are for favorite sons, not for favorite.

  1. as in crown princes

    similar: crown princes, dark horses, spoilers, stalking horses, claimants, pretenders, competitors, contestants, entrants, entries, favorites, qualifiers, nominees, running mates, applicants, appliers, aspirants, campaigners, candidates, contenders, expectants, hopefuls, prospects, seekers
    opposite: noncandidates, incumbents, officeholders, awardees, honorees, inductees, dropouts

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Favorite

The most common words with a similar meaning to Favorite:

beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed, cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, first-line, handpicked, picked, preferred, select, selected, big, crowd-pleasing, du jour, faddish, faddy, fashionable, happening, hot, in, large, modish, pop, popular, popularized, red-hot, vogue, voguish

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Favorite

Words with the opposite meaning of Favorite:

unbeloved, out, unfashionable, unpopular

Related Words for Favorite

admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, exclusive, culled, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out), semipopular, desirable, liked, wanted, celebrated, famed, famous, noted, notorious, prominent, renowned, well-known, fabled, fabulous, legendary, leading

Near Antonyms of Favorite

abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged, average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, washed-up, rejected, insignificant, unimportant, indistinguished, unexceptional, anonymous, nameless, obscure

Origin & Etymology of Favorite

Italian favorito, past participle of favorire to favor, from favore favor, from Latin favor

First known use: 1583

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Favorite

Words & Phrases Containing Favorite

favorite son, cofavorite

Frequently Asked Questions about Favorite

What does "Favorite" mean?

"Favorite" means one that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking; especially, a person who is specially loved, trusted, or provided with favors by someone of high rank or authority. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: one that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking; especially, a person who is specially loved, trusted, or provided with favors by someone of high rank or authority. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Favorite"?

Other words for "Favorite" include beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, fond and loved. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Favorite" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Favorite"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Favorite". Common alternatives include beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, fond, loved, pet and precious.

What is the opposite of "Favorite"?

Antonyms of "Favorite" include unbeloved, out, unfashionable and unpopular. Near antonyms include abhorred, abominated, despised and detested.

How do you use "Favorite" in a sentence?

Examples of "Favorite" in a sentence: "that teacher claims not to have any favorite students, although many in the class would disagree"; "mint chocolate chip is my favorite flavor of ice cream"; "a radio station that mostly plays favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s".

Is "Favorite" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Favorite" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Favorite" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Favorite" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Favorite"?

"Favorite" is pronounced /ˈfā-v(ə-)rət/ and divided into syllables as fa·vor·ite.