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
Tim Chan, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
The division-winning Panthers are clear favorites over the Lightning and among favorites to win the Stanley Cup, while the Heat are huge underdogs.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Our Best Organic Mattresses guide has more details and recommendations, but here are a few of our favorites on sale.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
One of my personal favorites is the Maude Burn No. 3.
—Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Catán’s opera, inspired by the magical realism of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is one of her top-of-the-list favorites.
—Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
It’s always been one of her son’s favorites, Emily says.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Two of Glamour's favorites are Danessa Myricks’s Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, which and absorbs excess moisture from the skin throughout the day tears and sweat included).
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2024
The past seven years with Wild West Voyages, one of my favorites has been stand up paddle boarding and SUP Yoga.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
In a poll published on Friday (April 12) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Chilean collaborators’ new single as their favorite music release of the past week.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
Our editors share their favorite listens from the New York Times Audio app.
—Maya Salam Maya Salam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Yassine said her favorite way to celebrate Earth Day is by taking a walk through nature.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
For the diehard fans that filled the concert hall — including one seated next to me who flew in from Seattle — Girls with the Milwaukee Symphony may have become their favorite combination.
—Journal Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2024
Your child’s favorite part may be the gondola that moves back and forth over a bridge.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Apr. 2024
When Bowie stepped offstage, she was expected to wait in the wings with a glass of red wine and his favorite Gitanes cigarettes in hand.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The chicken is a nod to his childhood in Hawaii, while the curry is a play on one of the owner's favorite meals from Oak.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Los Blancos are the favorites to win El Clásico 2024, with oddsmakers citing their balanced attack and the hot play of Jude Bellingham.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
The division-winning Panthers are clear favorites over the Lightning and among favorites to win the Stanley Cup, while the Heat are huge underdogs.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Our Best Organic Mattresses guide has more details and recommendations, but here are a few of our favorites on sale.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
One of my personal favorites is the Maude Burn No. 3.
—Valerie Butler, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024
Catán’s opera, inspired by the magical realism of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is one of her top-of-the-list favorites.
—Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
It’s always been one of her son’s favorites, Emily says.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Two of Glamour's favorites are Danessa Myricks’s Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, which and absorbs excess moisture from the skin throughout the day tears and sweat included).
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2024
The past seven years with Wild West Voyages, one of my favorites has been stand up paddle boarding and SUP Yoga.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The episode closes with Rossdale’s top five favorite L.A. restaurants and rock frontmen.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
In a poll published on Friday (April 12) — in support of the weekly New Music Latin roundup and playlist, curated by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — music fans voted for the Chilean collaborators’ new single as their favorite music release of the past week.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
Our editors share their favorite listens from the New York Times Audio app.
—Maya Salam Maya Salam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
Yassine said her favorite way to celebrate Earth Day is by taking a walk through nature.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
For the diehard fans that filled the concert hall — including one seated next to me who flew in from Seattle — Girls with the Milwaukee Symphony may have become their favorite combination.
—Journal Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2024
Your child’s favorite part may be the gondola that moves back and forth over a bridge.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Apr. 2024
When Bowie stepped offstage, she was expected to wait in the wings with a glass of red wine and his favorite Gitanes cigarettes in hand.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
The chicken is a nod to his childhood in Hawaii, while the curry is a play on one of the owner's favorite meals from Oak.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near favorite
Cite this Entry
“Favorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favorite. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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