favorite

fa·vor·ite  (fvr-t, fvrt)

n.

1.

a. One that enjoys special favor or regard.

b. One that is trusted, indulged, or preferred above all others, especially by a superior: a favorite of the monarch.

2. A contestant or competitor regarded as most likely to win.

adj.

Liked or preferred above all others; regarded with special favor.

---

[Obsolete French favorit, from Old Italian favorito, past participle of favorire, to favor, from favore, favor, from Latin favor; see favor.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	favorite - something regarded with special favor or liking; "that book is one of my favorites" favourite choice, pick, selection - the person or thing chosen or selected; "he was my pick for mayor"
	2.	favorite - a special loved one                   darling, dearie, deary, ducky, favourite, pet lover - a person who loves someone or is loved by someone chosen - one who is the object of choice; who is given preference; "she was Mama's chosen" macushla - (an Irish term of address expressing affection) darling mollycoddle - a pampered darling; an effeminate man teacher's pet - the teacher's favorite student
	3.	favorite - a competitor thought likely to win favourite, front-runner challenger, competitor, contender, rival, competition - the contestant you hope to defeat; "he had respect for his rivals"; "he wanted to know what the competition was doing"
Adj.	1.	favorite - appealing to the general public; "a favorite tourist attraction" favourite popular - regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public; "a popular tourist attraction"; "a popular girl"; "cabbage patch dolls are no longer popular"
	2.	favorite - preferred above all others and treated with partiality; "the favored child" best-loved, favored, pet, preferent, preferred, favourite loved - held dear; "his loved companion of many years"