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Favourite vs Favorite | Meaning, Spelling & Examples

Favourite vs Favorite | Meaning, Spelling & Examples

UK vs US updated on December 6, 2023 3 min read

Favourite and favorite are two ways of spelling the noun or adjective meaning “most preferred.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “mark something as the most preferred” (e.g., on social media). The spelling depends on the type of English you use.

In British English, “favourite” is standard.
In American English, “favorite” is correct.

It's important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.

Examples: Favourite or favorite in a sentence
Lola's favourite/favorite color is gray.
"Do you like chocolate ice cream?" "Yes, it's my absolute favourite/favorite!
I favourited/favorited this picture so I'd be able to find it again in the future.

Try QuillBot's Grammar Checker for free!

Other forms of favourite or favorite

The same spelling difference applies to the adjective favourable or favorable, the noun favouritsm or favoritism, and the noun favour or favor.

In British English, “favourable," "favouritism," and "favour" are correct.
In American English, “favorable," "favoritism,” and "favor" are correct.

Examples: Other forms of favourite or favorite in a sentence
The analysis suggests that the conditions are favourable/favorable for investment.
The judicial system should always avoid any signs of favouritism/favoritism.
I favour/favor your advice over hers.

Main differences between American and British English

American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:

Difference	Rule	Examples
-or vs -our	In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. In British English, these same words end in -our.	Humor or humour Labor or labour Favor or favour Behavior or behaviour Color or colour Honor or honour
-er vs -re	In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. In British English, these same words end in -re.	Theater or theatre Center or centre Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre
-ize vs -ise	In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise.	Realize or realise Recognize or recognise Analyze or analyse Organize or organise Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise
-ed vs -t	In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t.	Learned or learnt Burned or burnt Kneeled or knelt Dreamed or dreamt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt
Single vs double consonant	In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. In British English, these same words are spelled with a double consonant.	Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling Canceling or cancelling Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed

Common mistakes	US vs UK	Rhetoric
Irregardless vs regardless	Burnt or burned	Situational irony
Lable or label	Dreamed or dreamt	Trope
Now a days or nowadays	Kneeled or knelt	Metaphor
Every time or everytime	Smelled or smelt	Consonance
Alot or a lot	Travelling or traveling	Rhyme

Frequently asked questions about favourite or favorite

Is it favorite or favourite in Canada?

Favourite and favorite are two spellings of the same noun, adjective or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “favourite.”
In American English, you use “favorite.”

Canadian English mainly follows British English guidelines, so favourite is the correct spelling.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “behavior or behaviour,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour."

It's important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.

Is it favourite or favorite in Australia?

Favourite and favorite are two spellings of the same noun, adjective or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “favourite.”
In American English, you use “favorite.”

Australian English mainly follows British English guidelines, so favourite is standard.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “behavior or behaviour,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour."

It's important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.

Is it favorite or favourite in India?

Favourite and favorite are two spellings of the same noun, adjective or verb. The spelling depends on the type of English.

In British English, you use “favourite.”
In American English, you use “favorite.”

Indian English mostly follows British English guidelines, so favourite is standard.

The same distinction applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “behavior or behaviour,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour."

It's important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.

Julia Merkus

Julia has master's degrees in Linguistics and Language and speech pathology. Her expertise lies in grammar, language and speech disorders, foreign language learning, and child language acquisition.

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