FAVOURITE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does favourite mean? 

• FAVOURITE (noun)
  The noun FAVOURITE has 3 senses:

1. a competitor thought likely to win

2. a special loved one

3. something regarded with special favor or liking

  Familiarity information: FAVOURITE used as a noun is uncommon.

• FAVOURITE (adjective)
  The adjective FAVOURITE has 2 senses:

1. appealing to the general public

2. preferred above all others and treated with partiality

  Familiarity information: FAVOURITE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FAVOURITE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A competitor thought likely to win

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

favorite; favourite; front-runner

Hypernyms ("favourite" is a kind of...):

challenger; competition; competitor; contender; rival (the contestant you hope to defeat)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A special loved one

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

darling; dearie; deary; ducky; favorite; favourite; pet

Hypernyms ("favourite" is a kind of...):

lover (a person who loves someone or is loved by someone)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "favourite"):

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)

Derivation:

favourite (preferred above all others and treated with partiality)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Something regarded with special favor or liking

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

favorite; favourite

Context example:

that book is one of my favorites

Hypernyms ("favourite" is a kind of...):

choice; pick; selection (the person or thing chosen or selected)

Derivation:

favourite (appealing to the general public)

• FAVOURITE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Appealing to the general public

Synonyms:

favorite; favourite

Context example:

a favorite tourist attraction

Similar:

popular (regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public)

Derivation:

favourite (something regarded with special favor or liking)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Preferred above all others and treated with partiality

Synonyms:

best-loved; favored; favorite; favourite; pet; preferent; preferred

Context example:

the favored child

Similar:

loved (held dear)

Derivation:

favourite (a special loved one)

 Context examples 

Mr. Weston seems an excellent creature—quite a first-rate favourite with me already, I assure you.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“Why, a batter-pudding,” he said, taking up a table-spoon, “is my favourite pudding! Ain't that lucky? Come on, little 'un, and let's see who'll get most.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favourite, and friend.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Your favourite schoolfellow, Louis Manoir, has suffered several misfortunes since the departure of Clerval from Geneva.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

This was the home of Henry Jekyll’s favourite; of a man who was heir to a quarter of a million sterling.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

His favourite way of ignoring her was to lie down, with his head on his fore-paws, and pretend sleep.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite?—and pray, when am I to wish you joy?”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

It will be a favourite, I believe, from this hour, replied Crawford; but I do not think I have had a volume of Shakespeare in my hand before since I was fifteen.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

And then as I was hurrying off I heard him say, quite loudly, to the doctor, “I'll have no favourites on my ship.”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“This is so favourite a walk of mine,” said Miss Tilney, “that I always think it the best and nearest way. But perhaps it may be damp.”

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)