favorite
English meaning: Favorite
Definition
A person or thing who enjoys special regard or favour.
Example
“The teacher's favourite always went first.”
Another example: “The home team went into the final as the clear favorite.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun and adjective for the person or thing most liked or most likely to win. Common in everyday speech, sport ('the favorite to win') and computing ('add to favorites'). Note the US spelling 'favorite'; UK uses 'favourite'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Italian 'favorito', past participle of 'favorire' (to favour), from Latin 'favor'; in English from the 16th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- least favorite
- underdog
Related Words
Common Collocations
- clear favorite
- personal favorite
- odds-on favorite
- all-time favorite
- favorite team
- add to favorites
Word Forms
favorite (n & adj); favorites (pl); favoritism (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B