adj.
preferred to all others of the same kind.
n.
- a favourite person or thing.
- the competitor thought most likely to win.
Phrase
- favourite son
- a famous man who is particularly popular in his native area.
- US a person supported as a presidential candidate by delegates from the candidate's home state.
Etymology
C16 (as n.): from obs. Fr. favorit, from Ital. favorito, past part. of favorire ‘to favour’.