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
Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024
Forty years on, the sports watch has been reimagined many times and remains a firm favorite among collectors.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The defending champions of the NCAA men’s tournament are still an oddsmaker’s favorite to win in 2024.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Keith was a longtime familiar favorite of the CMT Music Awards, having co-hosted the show in 2003 and 2012 and earning a whopping 30 total nominations, including seven wins.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
While there are many charging devices on the market, one of our favorites for travel — the Anker 321 Power Strip — is down to an all-time low of $14.96 ($11 off) at Amazon.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
All season long, Burns has been a fan favorite for North Carolina State, the 11-seed that elbowed its way into this year's NCAA basketball tournament.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
Quick, easy, deeply flavorful, it’s been a favorite ever since.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the meantime, here are our 11 favorites, from new ultra-long-range aircraft to very light jets.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024
The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
In addition to being used in an Espresso Martini or other cocktails, XO Cafe is meant to be sipped or even poured over your favorite dessert.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Come the end of 2024, this will probably still stand as one of my favorite covers of the year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Prince Andrew's two favorite teddy bears were placed on mahogany thrones at his bedside.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the favorite quotations Carol uses to encourage her executives originates from a visionary leader and philosopher named Frederic Buechner.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Here are our favorite ways to update your space with mini florals now.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
UConn is the favorite among oddsmakers, but this is March Madness, when anything can (and often does) happen.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Meet some of the park’s reptiles and amphibians as the eat their favorite foods.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Don’t just take my word for it — this suit is also a favorite with Amazon customers, earning more than 14,400 five-star ratings.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024
Forty years on, the sports watch has been reimagined many times and remains a firm favorite among collectors.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The defending champions of the NCAA men’s tournament are still an oddsmaker’s favorite to win in 2024.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Keith was a longtime familiar favorite of the CMT Music Awards, having co-hosted the show in 2003 and 2012 and earning a whopping 30 total nominations, including seven wins.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
While there are many charging devices on the market, one of our favorites for travel — the Anker 321 Power Strip — is down to an all-time low of $14.96 ($11 off) at Amazon.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
All season long, Burns has been a fan favorite for North Carolina State, the 11-seed that elbowed its way into this year's NCAA basketball tournament.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
Quick, easy, deeply flavorful, it’s been a favorite ever since.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the meantime, here are our 11 favorites, from new ultra-long-range aircraft to very light jets.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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
In addition to being used in an Espresso Martini or other cocktails, XO Cafe is meant to be sipped or even poured over your favorite dessert.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Come the end of 2024, this will probably still stand as one of my favorite covers of the year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Prince Andrew's two favorite teddy bears were placed on mahogany thrones at his bedside.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the favorite quotations Carol uses to encourage her executives originates from a visionary leader and philosopher named Frederic Buechner.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Here are our favorite ways to update your space with mini florals now.
—Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2024
UConn is the favorite among oddsmakers, but this is March Madness, when anything can (and often does) happen.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Meet some of the park’s reptiles and amphibians as the eat their favorite foods.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 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 23 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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