different between favourite vs favourably

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

English

Alternative forms

• favorably (mostly US)

Etymology

favourable +? -ly

Adverb

favourably (comparative more favourably, superlative most favourably)

1. (Britain, Canada) In a favourable manner.

   She looked favourably on people who gave freely their assistance.

Related terms

• favour
• favourite