favourite
/'feivərit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Preferred above all others: Describes something or someone that is liked or preferred more than any other of the same kind.
- Appealing to many people: Indicates something that is very popular or commonly liked by a wide group.
Noun:
- A person or thing that is especially liked or preferred: Refers to the specific item, person, or activity that is one's top choice.
- A competitor expected to win: In sports or competitions, the participant considered most likely to win.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- This is my favourite restaurant in the city. (I prefer this restaurant over all others.)
- It's a favourite destination for honeymooners. (It is a very popular and commonly chosen destination for honeymoons.)
Noun:
- Chocolate ice cream is my all-time favourite. (Chocolate ice cream is the thing I like most.)
- The reigning champion is the favourite to win the tournament again. (The champion is the competitor everyone expects to win.)
Advanced Usage
- "To be a firm favourite": To be something that is consistently and strongly preferred.
- This recipe has become a firm favourite with my family.
- "Favourite son/daughter": A term often used to describe a person, especially a politician, who is particularly popular in their native area.
- He returned to his home state as a favourite son.
Variants and Related Words
- Favoritism (noun): The unfair practice of consistently favoring one person or group over others.
- The manager was accused of favoritism towards his friends.
- Favourite (verb, archaic/rare): To favor or prefer. (Note: This usage is very uncommon in modern English; the adjective and noun forms are standard.)
- Favorite (US spelling): The standard American English spelling of the word.
Synonyms
- Preferred: Chosen or liked above others.
- Beloved: Dearly loved (often with deeper emotional attachment).
- Front-runner: The competitor most likely to win (similar to the noun meaning in competitions).
Phrasal Verbs / Common Phrases
- "To play favourites": To show unfair preference to one person or group over others.
- A good teacher should not play favourites in the classroom.
Related Idioms
- "Teacher's pet / Boss's favourite": A person who is perceived to be unfairly favored by someone in authority.
- He gets all the best projects because he's the boss's favourite.
- "A favourite pastime": A hobby or activity that one particularly enjoys doing.
- Reading is one of her favourite pastimes.
Adjective
- preferred above all others and treated with partiality
- the favored child
- appealing to the general public
- a favorite tourist attraction
Noun
- something regarded with special favor or liking
- that book is one of my favorites
- a special loved one
- a competitor thought likely to win