different between boyfriend vs favourite

English

Alternative forms

• boy friend (dated)
• boy-friend (dated)

Etymology

From boy +? friend.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?b???f??nd/, /?b??f??nd/

Noun

boyfriend (plural boyfriends)

1. A male partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.

   Coordinate terms: fiancé, girlfriend, husband, lover, significant other
2. A male friend.

   Synonyms: (slang) guyfriend, buddy, pal, mate; see also Thesaurus:friend

Usage notes

In contrast to its female equivalent, girlfriend, which is also often used to describe a woman's close female friends, the term is not that often used in reference to non-romantic relationships. Boyfriend is a relatively modern term, and in the past has had implications of an illicit relationship (as sexual and romantic relationships outside marriage were more commonly frowned upon). It is now a generally accepted term and has no negative implications per se.

An adult man in a non-marital relationship is sometimes referred to instead as a significant other or partner, especially if the two partners are living together. Because boyfriend and partner mean different things to different people, the distinctions between the terms are subjective, and which term is used in a relationship will ultimately be determined by personal preference.

Separating the word into its two components boy friend avoids the romantic implication nowadays, although boy friend used to mean the same as boyfriend does now. However, British and Australian men usually refer to a male friend as a mate. Similarly, Americans and Canadians use the term buddy.

Derived terms

• boyfriendable

Descendants

• ? Hindi: ?????????? (b?yfre??)
• ? Japanese: ??????? (b?ifurendo)
• ? Korean: ????? (boipeurendeu)
• ? Russian: ????????? (bojfr??nd)
• ? Urdu: ??????????? (bayfren?)

Translations

Anagrams

• friend boy, friendboy

Finnish

Noun

boyfriend

1. (rare) boyfriend

Declension

Synonyms

• poikakaveri
• poikaystävä

English

Alternative forms

• (American English) favorite

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French favorit, from Old French favorit or Italian favorito (“favoured, favourite”), past participle of Italian favorire (“to favor”). Doublet of favori.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fe?v.??t/

Adjective

favourite (not comparable) (Britain, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, South Africa)

1. Preferred or liked above all others (unless qualified).

   This is my second favourite occupation.

   Antonyms: least favorite, unfavourite, unfavorite

2. Belonging to a category whose members are all preferred or liked over nonmembers.

   I just saw a movie with all my favourite actors in it.

Translations

Noun

favourite (plural favourites) (Britain, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, South Africa)

1. A person or thing who enjoys special regard or favour.

   Antonyms: unfavourite, unfavorite

2. A person who is preferred or trusted above all others.
3. A contestant or competitor thought most likely to win.

   You were my favourite to win the spelling competition.

   Synonym: top dog

4. (Internet) A bookmark in a web browser.
5. (in the plural) A short curl dangling over the temples, fashionable in the reign of Charles II.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Farquhar to this entry?)

Related terms

Translations

Verb

favourite (third-person singular simple present favourites, present participle favouriting, simple past and past participle favourited) (Britain, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, South Africa)

1. To favour.
2. (Internet) To bookmark.
3. (Internet) To add to one's list of favourite items on a website that allows users to compile such lists.

   Antonyms: unfavourite, unfavorite

Derived terms

• fave