favorite


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fa·vor·ite

 (fā′vər-ĭt, fāv′rĭt)
n.
1.
a. One that enjoys special favor or regard.
b. One that is trusted, indulged, or preferred above all others, especially by a superior: a favorite of the monarch.
2. A contestant or competitor regarded as most likely to win.
adj.
Liked or preferred above all others; regarded with special favor.

[Obsolete French favorit, from Old Italian favorito, past participle of favorire, to favor, from favore, favor, from Latin favor; see favor.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fa•vor•ite

(ˈfeɪ vər ɪt, ˈfeɪv rɪt)

n.
1. a person or thing regarded with special preference, pleasure, or approval.
2. a competitor or contestant considered likely to win.
3. a person treated with special or undue favor by a king, official, etc.: favorites at the court.
adj.
4. regarded with particular favor or preference.
[1575–85; < Middle French < Italian favorito, past participle of favorire to favor; see favor]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.favorite - something regarded with special favor or likingfavorite - something regarded with special favor or liking; "that book is one of my favorites"
choice, pick, selection - the person or thing chosen or selected; "he was my pick for mayor"
2.favorite - a special loved onefavorite - a special loved one      
lover - a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
chosen - one who is the object of choice; who is given preference; "she was Mama's chosen"
macushla - (an Irish term of address expressing affection) darling
mollycoddle - a pampered darling; an effeminate man
teacher's pet - the teacher's favorite student
3.favorite - a competitor thought likely to win
challenger, competitor, contender, rival, competition - the contestant you hope to defeat; "he had respect for his rivals"; "he wanted to know what the competition was doing"
Adj.1.favorite - appealing to the general public; "a favorite tourist attraction"
popular - regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public; "a popular tourist attraction"; "a popular girl"; "cabbage patch dolls are no longer popular"
2.favorite - preferred above all others and treated with partialityfavorite - preferred above all others and treated with partiality; "the favored child"
loved - held dear; "his loved companion of many years"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

favorite

noun
1. One liked or preferred above all others:
2. A competitor regarded as the most likely winner:
Informal: shoo-in.
adjective
1. Being a favorite:
2. Given special, usually doting treatment:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
favoritnejoblíbenějšíoblíbený
favorityndlings-
lempi-suosikkimieli-ennakkosuosikki
favoritomiljen
お気に入り大好きな
좋아하는좋아하는 것
favoritljubljenec
favoritfavorit-
คนหรือสิ่งของที่ชอบเป็นพิเศษที่ชอบที่สุด
người/vật yêu thíchưa thích

favorite

مُفَضَّل favorit, nejoblíbenější favorit, yndlings- Liebling, Lieblings- αγαπημένος, φαβορί favorito lempi-, suosikki préféré favorit, omiljen preferito お気に入り, 大好きな 좋아하는, 좋아하는 것 favoriet favoritt, favoritt- ulubieniec, ulubiony favorito излюбленный, любимец favorit, favorit- คนหรือสิ่งของที่ชอบเป็นพิเศษ, ที่ชอบที่สุด gözde người/vật yêu thích, ưa thích 最喜爱的东西, 特别喜爱的
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
References in classic literature ?
Eliza had been brought up by her mistress, from girlhood, as a petted and indulged favorite.
He was possessed of a handsome person and pleasing manners, and was a general favorite in the factory.
There was but one problem before the public which could challenge his powers of analysis, and that was the singular disappearance of the favorite for the Wessex Cup, and the tragic murder of its trainer.
Up to the time of the catastrophe he was the first favorite for the Wessex Cup, the betting being three to one on him.
But it is alleged, that it might be employed in such a manner as to promote the election of some favorite class of men in exclusion of others, by confining the places of election to particular districts, and rendering it impracticable to the citizens at large to partake in the choice.
"Chevalier," said Philip to his favorite, the Chevalier de Lorraine, "come hither, chevalier." The favorite quickly obeyed.
A vigor apparent only when we keep in mind the artless character of the speaker and the four feet of the favorite, one for each wind.
As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky.
He apologized afterwards as if he were to blame, and not I, but I dare say I was a nuisance with my different literary passions, and must have made many of my acquaintances very tired of my favorite authors.
And I should be so glad...I traveled yesterday with Vronsky's mother," she went on; "and his mother talked without a pause of him, he's her favorite. I know mothers are partial, but..."
Germany is rich in folk-songs, and the words and airs of several of them are peculiarly beautiful--but "The Lorelei" is the people's favorite. I could not endure it at first, but by and by it began to take hold of me, and now there is no tune which I like so well.
It is counted by some, a weakness in princes, to have favorites; but it is, of all others, the best remedy against ambitious great-ones.