Is the word favorite an adjective

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

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Asked by: Cortney Kulas

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(32 votes)

“Favorite” (or “favourite,” if that’s the spelling you favour) is a word that can be used both as a noun and as an adjective. … We mentioned that favorite can also be used as an adjective. When we use it like that, favorite has only one meaning—“most liked” or “preferred”: Blue is Peter’s favorite color.

Can the word favorite be a verb?

What type of word is favorite? As detailed above, ‘favorite’ can be a verb, an adjective or a noun. Adjective usage: That is my favorite flavor of ice cream, I’d eat it daily if I could. Noun usage: The teacher’s favorite always went first.

Is Favourite an adjective of quality?

FAVOURITE (adjective) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary.

Is like an adjective or noun?

In English, the word like has a very flexible range of uses, ranging from conventional to non-standard. It can be used as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, particle, conjunction, hedge, filler, and quotative.

Is my a verb or a noun?

Yes, the word «my» is a pronoun . Instead of noun, we use a pronoun. It is also a pronoun but it is called possessive adjective .

24 related questions found

A client recently asked me if I could write for a British audience. She quipped, “I’ve seen you use favourite around social, so I thought you’re familiar with the spellings used in the U.K.”

Her observation was, of course, on point. I was, in fact, using the British spelling of favourite. But what I didn’t realize was whether I was using it correctly. As mortifying as it is to admit, I was just using the -our version of the word because it seemed right. 

Then came another realization: I had to revise my spellings across the board. And, here I am, dear reader — sharpening my digital pencil to clarify what’s right, favorite vs. favourite, in the divided world of English language.

Let’s hit it.

What’s the correct way to spell favorite?

First things first, both favorite and favourite are correct spellings. The version that’s correct for you, however, depends on where you live and who you’re writing for — same goes for canceled vs. cancelled.

Primarily, you need to remember:

This latter version with a “u” is also the spelling that’s largely preferred in other countries that favor British English, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

That said, the spelling difference is applicable on all relatives of the word, including favorites, favorited, and favoritism in the US and favourites, favourited, and favouritism in the UK and other countries.

Here are example sentences using favorite and favor: 

Now change favorite to favourite in all these instances and you’ll be writing for a UK audience.

The definition of favorite 

Here’s an interesting fact about the word favorite: it’s used as a noun, an adjective, as well as a verb. This means the word basically has three definitions. Let’s look at each with an example.

Favorite as a noun

When something or someone is preferred over another, favorite is used as a noun. Synonyms for favorite as a noun are front-runner, darling, and preference.

Favorite as an adjective

When a noun is preferred over other things or people, favorite is used as an adjective to describe it. Synonyms for the adjective favorite are best-loved, most liked, treasured, special, and ideal.

Favorite as a verb

Lastly, when you like or mark something for the purpose of saving it for later, you’re using favorite as a verb.

That said, there’s a fourth definition of favorite as well: a record or address that you bookmark is called a favorite. For instance, she favorited a tweet on gender equality.

Origin of favorite

Essentially, both spellings — favorite and favourite are pronounced the same way as: FAY-vuh-rit, FAY-vrit, or ˈfeɪv rɪt. The same is true for the word’s etymology.

The word favorite traces back to the 16th century. It comes from an obsolete word, favorit in French that, in turn, comes from Italian favorito — past participle of favorire meaning “to favor.” The root of this chain traces to the Latin word, favor.

The difference between the spellings, however, comes from Brits and Americans following different dictionaries for their spellings.

Folks in the UK have by and large referred to Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language that uses the following spelling: favourite.

Americans, on the other hand, have referenced Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language. The earlier version of this dictionary (1806), used favourite. In the 1828 version, however, the spelling was cropped to favorite by excluding the “u.”

The same is true for the word “cancelled” being spelled as “canceled” in the later version of the dictionary. Perhaps it’s why Webster is known for his love for simplicity and for making spellings truly “American.” Or, he was inspired by Milton’s use of favorite (without “u”) in the 17th century — who knows, really!

Whatever the reason for Webster’s choice, the shorter — without “u” — spelling slowly gained popularity and is the preferred spelling in the US today.

Favorite vs. favourite examples

How to remember which spelling to use for favorite vs. favourite

Good question. Use these three tricks:

“U” is for UK and favourite

A simple way to distinguish between the American and British spelling is to remember that the extra “u” goes into the British version of the word — same as the “U” in United Kingdom.

Now, you’d argue there’s a “u” in US too. But, you can call US as the States, which doesn’t make the “u” mandatory (as it is in UK — you don’t say Kingdom, after all).

Refer to your styleguide

Whether you’re a student or a journalist/writer, you’ll have to understand which spelling your school or brand uses.

For example, if you’re in the UK, you’ll use favourite. Similarly, if you’re outside the UK but your school follows the GCSE or GCE system, you’ll, again, be using favourite.

In the same vein, the publication you write for will be using one spelling for consistency (we use favorite, for example). Get their style guide to see their preferred spelling. If you tend to forget, go back to the style guide before shipping content. Or, take a shortcut that we’ll share next.

Use Writer

Based on whether you set Writer’s setting to UK or US English, Writer can help you use the correct version. So, if you tend to move from country to country or write for audiences from different countries, Writer can help you use the correct spelling. Easy, isn’t it? Start a free trial today.

More resources

American writers and British writers spell some words differently, even when they mean the same thing. You can see these disparate spellings any time you read American and British publications. An article in The Wall Street Journal, for instance, might contain the word favorite, while an article in The Economist might contain the word favourite.

Many times, these spelling differences are the result of different standardization at the editorial level. As languages evolve, these standards can and do change, as well.

As a writer yourself, you will have to choose between these two variants when you use the word. Neither is incorrect, but there are definitely situations where favorite is preferable to favourite, and vice versa. The difference, like in so many writing dilemmas, comes down to your intended audience.

So, how should you spell favorite in your writing? Let’s find out.

What is the Difference Between Favorite and Favourite?

In this post, I will compare favorite vs. favourite. I will outline when these spellings are appropriate and showcase how they are used in example sentences, so that you can see them in context.

Plus, I will show you a helpful mnemonic device that will help you choose either favourite or favorite for your own writing.

When to Use Favorite

What does favorite mean? Favorite is an adjective. Favorite describes something which is preferred above all others.

Here are some examples,

• Geraldine’s favorite food is pizza, but she will never say no to hot wings, either.
• Robert has a favorite word, but he cannot repeat it in polite company.
• Dominique’s favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon is walk her dog in the city park.
• My new favorite heirloom white beans are the small, round Italian purgatory beans, fagioli del purgatorio, which have a tender, creamy texture. –The New York Times

Favorite is the standard spelling of this word in American English.

When to Use Favourite

What does favourite mean? Favourite is an alternative spelling of the same word. It is the standard spelling in British English. It can be used in all the same contexts as favorite, and carries the same meaning.

For example,

• Bob Baffert, whose Arrogate is the favourite for the $10m Dubai World Cup on Saturday, said here on Wednesday his colt is “the dirt version of Frankel”, the brilliant champion who won all 14 of his races in England in the same green, white and pink colours of Prince Khalid Abdullah. –The Guardian

The following two charts show the relative usage of favourite vs. favorite in American English and British English, respectively, since 1800.

As you can see, favorite has been preferred in American English since shortly before 1850, when it overtook favourite in usage. Favourite has always been preferred in British English.

These charts aren’t exhaustive in their scope, but they do help for identifying long-term trends.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Choosing between favorite and favourite is simple: you must consider your audience.

• For American readers, choose favorite.
• For British readers, choose favourite.

Since favourite contains an extra U, like United Kingdom, this should be an easy decision to make.

Summary

Is it favorite or favourite? Favorite and favourite are alternative spellings of the same word, which refers to something that is preferred above all others.

• Favorite is the American spelling.
• Favourite is the British spelling.

For British audiences, you should use favourite. This is easy to remember, since favourite and United Kingdom are both spelled with the letter U, unlike favorite.

In summary, favorite is the American form of this word. Favourite is the British form.

A client recently asked me if I could write for a British audience. She quipped, “I’ve seen you use favourite around social, so I thought you’re familiar with the spellings used in the U.K.”

Her observation was, of course, on point. I was, in fact, using the British spelling of favourite. But what I didn’t realize was whether I was using it correctly. As mortifying as it is to admit, I was just using the -our version of the word because it seemed right. 

Then came another realization: I had to revise my spellings across the board. And, here I am, dear reader — sharpening my digital pencil to clarify what’s right, favorite vs. favourite, in the divided world of English language.

Let’s hit it.

What’s the correct way to spell favorite?

First things first, both favorite and favourite are correct spellings. The version that’s correct for you, however, depends on where you live and who you’re writing for — same goes for canceled vs. cancelled.

Primarily, you need to remember:

This latter version with a “u” is also the spelling that’s largely preferred in other countries that favor British English, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. 

That said, the spelling difference is applicable on all relatives of the word, including favorites, favorited, and favoritism in the US and favourites, favourited, and favouritism in the UK and other countries.

Here are example sentences using favorite and favor: 

Now change favorite to favourite in all these instances and you’ll be writing for a UK audience.

The definition of favorite 

Here’s an interesting fact about the word favorite: it’s used as a noun, an adjective, as well as a verb. This means the word basically has three definitions. Let’s look at each with an example.

Favorite as a noun

When something or someone is preferred over another, favorite is used as a noun. Synonyms for favorite as a noun are front-runner, darling, and preference.

Favorite as an adjective

When a noun is preferred over other things or people, favorite is used as an adjective to describe it. Synonyms for the adjective favorite are best-loved, most liked, treasured, special, and ideal.

Favorite as a verb

Lastly, when you like or mark something for the purpose of saving it for later, you’re using favorite as a verb.

That said, there’s a fourth definition of favorite as well: a record or address that you bookmark is called a favorite. For instance, she favorited a tweet on gender equality.

Origin of favorite

Essentially, both spellings — favorite and favourite are pronounced the same way as: FAY-vuh-rit, FAY-vrit, or ˈfeɪv rɪt. The same is true for the word’s etymology.

The word favorite traces back to the 16th century. It comes from an obsolete word, favorit in French that, in turn, comes from Italian favorito — past participle of favorire meaning “to favor.” The root of this chain traces to the Latin word, favor.

The difference between the spellings, however, comes from Brits and Americans following different dictionaries for their spellings.

Folks in the UK have by and large referred to Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language that uses the following spelling: favourite.

Americans, on the other hand, have referenced Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language. The earlier version of this dictionary (1806), used favourite. In the 1828 version, however, the spelling was cropped to favorite by excluding the “u.”

The same is true for the word “cancelled” being spelled as “canceled” in the later version of the dictionary. Perhaps it’s why Webster is known for his love for simplicity and for making spellings truly “American.” Or, he was inspired by Milton’s use of favorite (without “u”) in the 17th century — who knows, really!

Whatever the reason for Webster’s choice, the shorter — without “u” — spelling slowly gained popularity and is the preferred spelling in the US today.

Favorite vs. favourite examples

How to remember which spelling to use for favorite vs. favourite

Good question. Use these three tricks:

“U” is for UK and favourite

A simple way to distinguish between the American and British spelling is to remember that the extra “u” goes into the British version of the word — same as the “U” in United Kingdom.

Now, you’d argue there’s a “u” in US too. But, you can call US as the States, which doesn’t make the “u” mandatory (as it is in UK — you don’t say Kingdom, after all).

Refer to your styleguide

Whether you’re a student or a journalist/writer, you’ll have to understand which spelling your school or brand uses.

For example, if you’re in the UK, you’ll use favourite. Similarly, if you’re outside the UK but your school follows the GCSE or GCE system, you’ll, again, be using favourite.

In the same vein, the publication you write for will be using one spelling for consistency (we use favorite, for example). Get their style guide to see their preferred spelling. If you tend to forget, go back to the style guide before shipping content. Or, take a shortcut that we’ll share next.

Use Writer

Based on whether you set Writer’s setting to UK or US English, Writer can help you use the correct version. So, if you tend to move from country to country or write for audiences from different countries, Writer can help you use the correct spelling. Easy, isn’t it? Start a free trial today.

А остальные слова по какому стандарту пишете? И стиль какой?

А в Америке как пишется? Всегда думала с u……

Да. То есть если favourite, тогда и neighbour, и colour, и behaviour, etc.

Ага

Спасибо!
Текст рассчитан на всех -). Откровенно говоря, душа у меня лежит с u написать это слово. Знакомый сказал недавно (английский преподает), что все равно как, лишь бы слова в тексте были либо на брит. манер, либо на амер. Собственно, как выше уже написали.

мы пишем favorite, и кстати MSWord если написать с u это слово подчеркивает как неправильное..

…потому что на машине установлен американский английский. Не смущайте автора.

я сама ничего не устанавливаю… видимо, автоматом стоит по региону.

а вы как пишете? раньше я писала с «u», теперь режет глаза weird…

а то! В MS Word и не такое бывает, штук -дцать английских, на любой вкус

о, а я сижу и ничем этим не пользуюсь вот я темнота…

надо индийский английский попробовать : вот где разгулятся можно

там надо со звуком на GPS такой надо ставить

GPS с набитым ртом?

надеюсь, что не на работе

American writers and British writers spell some words differently, even when they mean the same thing. You can see these disparate spellings any time you read American and British publications. An article in The Wall Street Journal, for instance, might contain the word favorite, while an article in The Economist might contain the word favourite.

Many times, these spelling differences are the result of different standardization at the editorial level. As languages evolve, these standards can and do change, as well.

As a writer yourself, you will have to choose between these two variants when you use the word. Neither is incorrect, but there are definitely situations where favorite is preferable to favourite, and vice versa. The difference, like in so many writing dilemmas, comes down to your intended audience.

So, how should you spell favorite in your writing? Let’s find out.

What is the Difference Between Favorite and Favourite?

In this post, I will compare favorite vs. favourite. I will outline when these spellings are appropriate and showcase how they are used in example sentences, so that you can see them in context.

Plus, I will show you a helpful mnemonic device that will help you choose either favourite or favorite for your own writing.

When to Use Favorite

What does favorite mean? Favorite is an adjective. Favorite describes something which is preferred above all others.

Here are some examples,

• Geraldine’s favorite food is pizza, but she will never say no to hot wings, either.
• Robert has a favorite word, but he cannot repeat it in polite company.
• Dominique’s favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon is walk her dog in the city park.
• My new favorite heirloom white beans are the small, round Italian purgatory beans, fagioli del purgatorio, which have a tender, creamy texture. –The New York Times

Favorite is the standard spelling of this word in American English.

When to Use Favourite

What does favourite mean? Favourite is an alternative spelling of the same word. It is the standard spelling in British English. It can be used in all the same contexts as favorite, and carries the same meaning.

For example,

• Bob Baffert, whose Arrogate is the favourite for the $10m Dubai World Cup on Saturday, said here on Wednesday his colt is “the dirt version of Frankel”, the brilliant champion who won all 14 of his races in England in the same green, white and pink colours of Prince Khalid Abdullah. –The Guardian

The following two charts show the relative usage of favourite vs. favorite in American English and British English, respectively, since 1800.

As you can see, favorite has been preferred in American English since shortly before 1850, when it overtook favourite in usage. Favourite has always been preferred in British English.

These charts aren’t exhaustive in their scope, but they do help for identifying long-term trends.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Choosing between favorite and favourite is simple: you must consider your audience.

• For American readers, choose favorite.
• For British readers, choose favourite.

Since favourite contains an extra U, like United Kingdom, this should be an easy decision to make.

Summary

Is it favorite or favourite? Favorite and favourite are alternative spellings of the same word, which refers to something that is preferred above all others.

• Favorite is the American spelling.
• Favourite is the British spelling.

For British audiences, you should use favourite. This is easy to remember, since favourite and United Kingdom are both spelled with the letter U, unlike favorite.

In summary, favorite is the American form of this word. Favourite is the British form.