fa·vor·ite
ˈfā-v(ə-)rət 
ˈfā-vərt,
chiefly dialectal ˈfā-və-ˌrīt
1
2
: a competitor judged most likely to win
Which horse is the favorite in this race?
: constituting a favorite
his favorite daughter
especially
: markedly popular
the country's favorite sport
Synonyms
Examples of favorite in a Sentence
Noun
Of all his books, do you have a favorite?
That movie is my favorite.
That movie is a great favorite with audiences everywhere.
Adjective
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Roxana Becerril, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2023
Ohtani finished his season as the favorite to win the American League most valuable player award.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Patio space and frequent live music make Rum and Wine Bar Restaurant a favorite in Christiansted.
06
Sample local Crucian fare.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023
This classic take on a true Southern favorite will bring joy to any plate for the holidays.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
So, feel free to stock up on your Fenty favorites, including the Fenty Beauty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick or Best of Beauty-winning Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream — no code needed.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 22 Sep. 2023
The temperature is expected to be in the high 80s for kickoff at Tiger Stadium and Daniels is off to a rip-roaring start that has the 6-4, 210-pound quarterback among the top 10 betting favorites for the Heisman Trophy.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 22 Sep. 2023
Former President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead in the Republican presidential primary, and is the clear favorite to win his party’s nomination.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Discovered on the street, Cloud became a fan favorite of the HBO teen drama series for his portrayal of Fezco.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
Here, five of our favorite beauty trends from Milan's spring 2024 runways.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2023
Icebox cakes are a favorite make-ahead option for summer gatherings.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2023
To mix it up, add hiking maps of your favorite locations or botanical prints.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2023
Carson appears to have improved greatly to earn the favorite’s role behind running back-linebacker Jerry Misaalefua, who has rushed for 678 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023
And Peter Thiel cites The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson as one of his favorite books.
—Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2023
Keep scrolling for our favorite fall shoe styles for $50 or less.
—Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Plus, Daryl gets a new favorite weapon, one that fits the milieu.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
The Plot Express is the one of the latest restaurants to find a spot at The Cottages, a new collective at 2956 Roosevelt Street in Carlsbad Village that serves up a range of tasty treats, including a professional surfer’s poke favorites and vegan Cuban sandwiches.
—Roxana Becerril, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2023
Ohtani finished his season as the favorite to win the American League most valuable player award.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Patio space and frequent live music make Rum and Wine Bar Restaurant a favorite in Christiansted.
06
Sample local Crucian fare.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023
This classic take on a true Southern favorite will bring joy to any plate for the holidays.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
So, feel free to stock up on your Fenty favorites, including the Fenty Beauty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick or Best of Beauty-winning Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream — no code needed.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 22 Sep. 2023
The temperature is expected to be in the high 80s for kickoff at Tiger Stadium and Daniels is off to a rip-roaring start that has the 6-4, 210-pound quarterback among the top 10 betting favorites for the Heisman Trophy.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 22 Sep. 2023
Former President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead in the Republican presidential primary, and is the clear favorite to win his party’s nomination.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Discovered on the street, Cloud became a fan favorite of the HBO teen drama series for his portrayal of Fezco.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Adjective
All the can't-miss looks on your favorite stars from this week's most major events
See what your favorite stars stepped out wearing this week, including Charlize Theron's bold Alexander McQueen look.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
Here, five of our favorite beauty trends from Milan's spring 2024 runways.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2023
Icebox cakes are a favorite make-ahead option for summer gatherings.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2023
To mix it up, add hiking maps of your favorite locations or botanical prints.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2023
Carson appears to have improved greatly to earn the favorite’s role behind running back-linebacker Jerry Misaalefua, who has rushed for 678 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2023
And Peter Thiel cites The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson as one of his favorite books.
—Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2023
Keep scrolling for our favorite fall shoe styles for $50 or less.
—Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Plus, Daryl gets a new favorite weapon, one that fits the milieu.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'favorite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing favorite
Dictionary Entries Near favorite
Cite this Entry
“Favorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favorite. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
favorite
1 of 2 noun
fa·vor·ite
ˈfāv-(ə-)rət
1
: a person or a thing that is preferred more than others
2
: the contestant considered as having the best chance to win
favorite
2 of 2 adjective
: being a favorite
our favorite show
More from Merriam-Webster on favorite
Nglish: Translation of favorite for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of favorite for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share