favourite
gb/fˈeɪvɚɪt/ us/fˈeɪvɚɪt/
A1
English
~ 2900
kedvenc, esélyes, favorit
NOUN
A1
1
kedvenc
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s favourite [thing/person]
Chocolate cake is my absolute favourite dessert.
A csokitorta az abszolút kedvenc desszertem.
She quickly became the teacher's favourite in class.
Hamar ő lett a tanár kedvence az osztályban.
This park is a favourite spot for families on weekends.
That novel is a favourite among young readers.
Learner examples
Pizza is my favourite food.
A pizza a kedvenc ételem.
Blue is my favourite colour.
A kék a kedvenc színem.
My dog is my favourite animal.
Soccer is my favourite sport.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'favourite' with 'favorite' spelling; 'favourite' is British English, 'favorite' is American English.
Meaning
person or thing preferred
Collocations
all-time favourite
|personal favourite
|crowd favourite
|become a favourite
Synonyms
preferred (Emphasizes choice or selection rather than personal affection.)
|
beloved (Has a stronger emotional and affectionate tone.)
Antonyms
least favourite (Indicates the opposite end of preference, the one liked the least.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
A person or thing you like more than others.
A person or thing regarded with special preference or liking over all others.
A1
2
kedvenc
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s favourite [thing/person]
Summer is my favourite season of the year.
A nyár a kedvenc évszakom.
This is her favourite dress to wear to parties.
Ez a kedvenc ruhája, amikor bulikra megy.
He named Paris as his favourite city to visit.
What's your favourite subject at school?
Learner examples
Red is my favourite colour.
A piros a kedvenc színem.
Ice cream is my favourite snack.
A fagylalt a kedvenc nassolnivalóm.
My favourite sport is basketball.
She is my favourite singer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'most favourite', which is redundant because 'favourite' already means 'most liked'.
Meaning
most liked or preferred
Collocations
favourite movie
|favourite song
|favourite place
|favourite teacher
Synonyms
preferred (Emphasizes the choice aspect rather than affection.)
|
best-loved (Adds a warmer, more affectionate tone.)
Antonyms
least favourite (Direct opposite in preference.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Liked more than any other.
Most liked or preferred above all others.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
the favourite to [win/achieve something]
She is the clear favourite to win the tennis tournament.
Ő a teniszverseny megnyerésének egyértelmű esélyese.
The horse was the odds-on favourite before the race began.
A ló már a verseny kezdete előtt toronymagas favorit volt.
Many see him as the favourite for the job.
Learner examples
He is the favourite to win the race.
Ő a verseny megnyerésének esélyese.
Our team is the favourite for the cup.
A mi csapatunk az esélyes a kupára.
That horse is the favourite in the race.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with general liking, not realizing it refers to competition prediction.
Meaning
competitor likely to win
Collocations
clear favourite
|odds-on favourite
|make someone a favourite
Synonyms
front-runner (Common in sports and politics; implies being ahead in competition.)
Antonyms
underdog (Refers to a competitor expected to lose.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or team people think will win.
A competitor or team considered most likely to win a contest or event.
Grammar
Dictionary form
favourite
IPA
GB/fˈeɪvɚɪt/
US/fˈeɪvɚɪt/
Syllables & stress
fa - vour - ite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fa)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: favourite
Noun
- Base: favourite
- Plural: favourite, favourites
Word family
Forms
favourites
noun
Core family
favour
noun A2
Related words
favourable
adjective B1
favourably
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
unfavourable
adjective
unfavourably
adverb
Advanced or less common
favouritism
noun
Expressions
favourite son
1/fˈeɪvɚɪt sˈʌn/
fixed phrase
locally admired male figure
A man from a place who is very popular there and often supported for an important position.
Examples
- The governor is considered the town's favourite son.
- The party nominated its favourite son for president.
play favourites
1/plˈeɪ fˈævˈaʊɹɪts/
idiom
show unfair preference
To treat one person better than others in an unfair way.
Examples
- The teacher was accused of playing favourites with certain students.
- Managers should avoid playing favourites in the workplace.
pet project
1/pˈɛt pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase
A project someone cares about most
A project someone likes very much and gives special attention to.
Examples
- The new park is the mayor's pet project.
- The playground renovation is the mayor's pet project.
- Restoring old cars has been his pet project for years.
- She spent years working on her pet project.
pet project
2/pˈɛt pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase
informal
Favorite personal project
A project that someone likes very much and spends extra time on, even if it is not important to others.
Examples
- Restoring the old car has become his pet project.
- She spends hours on her pet project every weekend.