‘Favourite' or 'Favorite': What's the Difference?

You might have seen both versions of this word floating around, but which should you use, ‘ favourite’ or ‘favorite’? We’ll help clear that up, plus teach you how to use both words in a sentence correctly.

In short, the difference between these words is:

• ‘Favourite’ is the British English spelling of the word.
• ‘Favorite’ is the American English spelling of the word.

They mean the same thing, which means you can use them interchangeably if your audience changes.

‘Favorite’ or ‘Favourite’ – What’s the Difference?

As you just learned, the difference between these two words is that the version without the ‘u’ is the American English spelling of the word.

The other spelling of the word is the British English spelling of the word. But it’s also used in the rest of the English-speaking world in countries such as New Zealand and Australia.

If your audience happens to change from American to New Zealand, you can simply add a ‘u.’

‘Favorite’ vs. ‘Favourite’ – The History of the Word

The ‘u’ in ‘favourite’ traces back to the influence of French on the English language after the 1066 Norman conquest of England.

Both variants of the word are used as a noun and as an adjective.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Favorite’ and ‘Favourite’

The definition of these two words, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is something or someone that’s treated or regarded with special favor or liking.

It could also be used to refer to a competitor in a contest that's most likely to win.

It describes something very popular.

For example, on the Bachelor, the contestant that's most likely to win is usually called the 'favorite.' This goes for any type of contest or competition, from The Voice to the Great American Baking Show.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Favorite’ and ‘Favourite’

Wondering how to pronounce these words? Here’s a short guide.

• To pronounce these words correctly here’s the phonetic spelling: FAYVrit

How to Use ‘Favorite’ and ‘Favourite’ in a Sentence

Now that you know what the words mean and how to pronounce them, let’s look at some examples of how to use them in a sentence.

• Aaliyah was my favorite singer before she died in 2001. I still listen to some of her songs.
• My favorite thing to have for dinner is pizza and French fries.
• Purple and orange are tied for my favorite colors. I just can’t decide on one.
• I canceled my Netflix subscription, even though my favorite show is on there.
• I lost my favorite shirt on my trip to Punta Cana. I’m so mad because I loved that shirt!
• I wonder what her favorite dessert is. I want to get her something special for Valentine’s Day.

Final Advice on ‘Favorite’ and ‘Favourite’

To recap, we learned that the difference between these words is:

• ‘Favourite’ is the British English spelling of the word.
• ‘Favorite’ is the American English spelling of the word.

They mean the same thing, which means you can use them interchangeably if your audience changes.

If you ever get stuck on the meaning or usage, you can always come back to refresh your memory. We’ve also got a whole library of content on other confusing words and phrases you might see while learning the English language.