Favourite vs Favorite | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
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.
“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.
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.
The judicial system should always avoid any signs of favouritism/favoritism.
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. |
Behavior or behaviour Labor or labour Favor or favour Favorite or favourite 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 Organisation or organization 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 Canceled or cancelled Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed |
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 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.
- 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.
