favourite

/ ˈfeɪvrɪt, ˈfeɪvərɪt /

adjective

1. (prenominal) most liked; preferred above all others

noun

1. 1. a person or thing regarded with especial preference or liking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a favourite book

2. sport a competitor thought likely to win

3. (pl) computing a place on certain browsers that allows internet users to list the addresses of websites they find and like with a click of the mouse so that they can revisit them merely by opening the list and clicking on the address

4. to display favouritism

Word History and Origins

Origin of favourite¹

C16: from Italian favorito , from favorire to favour, from Latin favēre

Example Sentences

India are favourites to sweep the two-match series after they won the opener by an innings and 140 runs.

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Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round on Tuesday, three points behind Benin and one below South Africa.

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The influential Gold Derby predictions website now has it as the favourite for the best animated film, ahead of Zootopia 2 and Elio.

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Beat Pakistan on Wednesday, as they should, and they will be in a very promising position to seal a semi-final spot without having yet played favourites India or Australia.

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The Queen also revealed that the Vesper Martini, which was invented by author Ian Fleming as James Bond's drink of choice, was a favourite tipple of the "much missed" Dame Jilly.

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