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
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
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 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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