noun / adjective / verb

favorite

FAY-vruht/ˈfeɪvrət/

A person or thing selected in preference to alternatives.

The older man holds his favorite mug close to his chest.

An older man affectionately cradles one well-worn mug against his chest while several equally usable mugs remain unchosen in front of him, making his special preference visible.

Etymology

favoriteFrenchperson or thing specially liked

Favorit names someone or something singled out for special liking. English first used favorite as a noun, then as an adjective describing that preferred status.

In context

MooLer197:18

best season of buffy personal favorite is season two that is a common choice for the buffy fandom

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More examples

Of all these desserts, peach pie is my favorite.
Our team is the favorite to win the championship.
I favorite useful posts so I can find them later.

Forms

favorite · favorites · favorited · favoriting

favoritism noun — Unfair preference for one person or group.

Similar words

preferred: Emphasizes choice over alternatives rather than personal affection.
choice: Names a selection without necessarily suggesting lasting personal preference.
front-runner: Usually identifies the current leader, not merely the expected winner.