favorite

/ˈfeɪvərɪt/

/ˈfeɪvrɪt/

Other forms: favorites

Your favorite is what you like best. Your room is probably painted your favorite color, and the folders you carry to school are probably that color too.

In a competition, the favorite is the one considered likely to win. If you bet on the favorite in a horse race, you're betting on the horse lots of other people think will win. The opposite of the favorite is the dark horse, or the underdog, or the long shot. You may have a favorite recipe, a favorite Web site, a favorite pastime, a favorite anything.

Definitions of favorite

1. adjective

   preferred above all others and treated with partiality
   synonyms: best-loved, favored, favourite, pet, preferent, preferred

   loved

   held dear
2. adjective

   appealing to the general public
   “a favorite tourist attraction”

   synonyms: favourite

   popular

   regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
3. noun

   something regarded with special favor or liking
   “that book is one of my favorites”

   synonyms: favourite

   type of:

   choice, pick, selection

   the person or thing chosen or selected
4. noun

   a special loved one
   synonyms: darling, dearie, deary, ducky, favourite, pet

   types:

   chosen

   one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

   macushla

   (an Irish term of address expressing affection) darling

   mollycoddle

   a pampered darling; an effeminate man

   teacher's pet

   the teacher's favorite student

   type of:

   lover

   a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
5. noun

   a competitor thought likely to win
   synonyms: favourite, front-runner

   type of:

   challenger, competition, competitor, contender, rival

   the contestant you hope to defeat