Table of Contents
Quick Answer
The fastest way to know which spelling to use.
The difference between favorite and favourite comes down entirely to geography.
If you are writing for an audience in the United States, the correct spelling is favorite. If you are writing for an audience in the United Kingdom, Australia, or Canada, the correct spelling is favourite.
Both words refer to the exact same thing: something or someone that is preferred above all others. Neither spelling is grammatically incorrect, but using the wrong one for your target region can look out of place.
Favourite vs Favorite at a Glance
A side-by-side breakdown of the key differences.
| Feature | Airplane (US) | Aeroplane (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Region | United States | United Kingdom |
| Spelling | F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E | F-A-V-O-U-R-I-T-E |
| Syllable Count | 3 (FAY-vor-ite) | 3 (FAY-vuh-rit) |
| Origin | Americanized phonetic spelling | French (favori) |
| Meaning | Preferred/Best-liked | Preferred/Best-liked |
American English: Favorite
How the word is used in the United States.
In the United States, "favorite" is the universally accepted spelling. It is used by major tech companies for app UI, sports broadcasters, newspapers, and everyday speakers. The spelling drops the "u" entirely, favoring a phonetic and streamlined approach.
Industry Standard
American tech giants like Twitter (X), Facebook, and Google use the "favorite" spelling (or the star icon) for bookmarking and liking posts.
Media and Publishing
Major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal strictly follow the "favorite" spelling in their style guides.
British English: Favourite
How the word is used in the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, "favourite" is the traditional and standard spelling. It retains the "u" to honor the word's French origins, matching the broader "-our" suffix used in British English (like colour and honour).
Cultural Presence
The spelling is ubiquitous in British culture, prominently featured in the concept of the royal "favourite," as well as the iconic television show Ask the Family and chart-topping music.
Modern Usage
Though casual speech uses the word identically, formal British writing relies on "favourite" rather than the American adaptation.
What Do Both Words Mean?
The definition remains exactly the same.
Despite the spelling difference, both "favorite" and "favourite" mean exactly the same thing. They can be used as an adjective to describe something preferred above all others, or as a noun for the person or thing that is preferred.
Core Definition
Preferred above all others of the same kind or class; the top choice.
Sports & Betting
It also refers to the competitor, team, or horse considered most likely to win a sporting event or race.
American English Usage
How Americans naturally use the word today.
In the US, "favorite" is used in almost every context, from casual conversation to digital interfaces and sports betting. It applies to food, people, hobbies, and forecasting outcomes.
Casual Conversation
"My favorite color is blue, but my sister's favorite is green."
Technical Writing
"Click the star icon to add this tweet to your favorites."
Sports Contexts
"The Lakers are the heavy favorites to win the championship this year."
Everyday Life
"That restaurant is a local favorite for families."
British English Usage
How Britons naturally use the word today.
In the UK, "favourite" holds its ground in literature, formal writing, and digital contexts. Britons use it identically to how Americans use their version, applying it to hobbies, preferred items, and betting odds.
Literature and Media
"Harry Potter was his absolute favourite book series as a child."
Everyday Conversation
"What's your favourite meal to cook on a Sunday?"
Sports Contexts
"The horse was the clear favourite to win the Grand National."
News and Journalism
"The policy quickly became the government's favourite talking point."
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Deciding based on your audience.
The decision is entirely context-driven. If you are writing an email to an American colleague, use "favorite." If you are writing a postcard from London to your friends back in Britain, use "favourite."
Choose "Favorite" if:
You are writing for a US-based publisher, studying at an American school, or creating content primarily for an American audience.
Choose "Favourite" if:
You are submitting to a UK journal, writing for a British audience, or following Commonwealth English standards.
Formal and Professional Writing
What to do in business and academic contexts.
In highly formal writing, the safest approach is to use the broader term "preferred" or "top choice" for both varieties of English. "Preferred" is universally accepted and avoids the regional spelling pitfalls entirely.
Business Contracts
International marketing contracts often use "preferred vendor" to prevent ambiguity between American and British stakeholders.
Academic Research
Scientific papers regarding consumer choices generally use "preferred option" rather than favorite or favourite.
Pronunciation
The spelling change does not affect how the word is spoken.
Unlike some spelling differences, the "u" vs no "u" does not change the pronunciation at all.
| Word | IPA | Syllables |
|---|---|---|
| Airplane (US) | /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ | 3 (FAY-vor-ite) |
| Aeroplane (UK) | /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ | 3 (FAY-vuh-rit) |
Both American and British speakers pronounce the word identically, with the stress on the first syllable. The "u" in the British spelling is silent, just like in "colour."
Spelling Difference
A visual breakdown of the letters.
The core difference is the presence of the letter "u" right after the "o".
The American version drops the "u" entirely, aligning with Noah Webster's push for phonetic simplification. The British version retains the "u," matching the traditional French-derived "-our" suffix.
Why Are the Spellings Different?
The history behind the transatlantic split.
1. The British Adoption
When the word crossed the English Channel, the British kept the "u" to align with other French-borrowed words like "colour" and "honour," spelling it "favourite."
2. Noah Webster's Reform
In the early 1800s, American lexicographer Noah Webster wanted to create a distinctly American version of English. He believed spellings should be simpler, more phonetic, and free of unnecessary silent letters. He dropped the "u" in words like "color," "honor," and "favorite."
3. The Simplification
By dropping the "u," Americans turned a complex French-Latin hybrid into a simpler, more direct English word that matched its pronunciation.
Synonyms, Antonyms & Rhyming Words
Words related to, opposite of, and sounding like favorite/favourite.
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Rhyming Words (Sound Matches)
Example Sentences
See how both words function in original sentences.
Here are 30 original sentences using the American spelling, "favorite."
- Blue has always been my favorite color.
- What is your favorite movie of all time?
- She is my favorite author.
- The horse is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
- I clicked the favorite button on the post.
- Pizza is my absolute favorite food.
- He was always the teacher's favorite student.
- My favorite season is autumn.
- The team is the favorite to win the championship.
- This is my favorite shirt to wear on weekends.
- What's your favorite kind of music to listen to?
- Chocolate chip is my favorite type of cookie.
- He is the favorite son of the small town.
- The book is a favorite among young readers.
- My favorite restaurant is just around the corner.
- She has always been his favorite cousin.
- The golden retriever was the favorite at the dog show.
- I will always remember my favorite teacher.
- What is your favorite hobby to do in your free time?
- The song is my favorite on the new album.
- My favorite subject in school was history.
- He is the current favorite to become the next CEO.
- I saved my favorite piece of cake for last.
- That movie is a favorite at Christmas time.
- The favorite won the race by a landslide.
- My favorite animal is the red panda.
- She is the favorite to win the talent show.
- I marked the webpage as a favorite in my browser.
- That flavor is my favorite at this ice cream shop.
- My favorite pair of shoes are wearing out.
Here are 30 original sentences using the British spelling, "favourite."
- Blue has always been my favourite colour.
- What is your favourite film of all time?
- She is my favourite author.
- The horse is the favourite to win the Grand National.
- I clicked the favourite button on the tweet.
- Pizza is my absolute favourite food.
- He was always the teacher's favourite pupil.
- My favourite season is autumn.
- The team is the favourite to win the championship.
- This is my favourite shirt to wear on weekends.
- What's your favourite kind of music to listen to?
- Chocolate chip is my favourite type of biscuit.
- He is the favourite son of the small town.
- The book is a favourite among young readers.
- My favourite restaurant is just around the corner.
- She has always been his favourite cousin.
- The golden retriever was the favourite at the dog show.
- I will always remember my favourite teacher.
- What is your favourite hobby to do in your free time?
- The song is my favourite on the new album.
- My favourite subject in school was history.
- He is the current favourite to become the next CEO.
- I saved my favourite piece of cake for last.
- That film is a favourite at Christmas time.
- The favourite won the race by a landslide.
- My favourite animal is the red panda.
- She is the favourite to win the talent show.
- I marked the webpage as a favourite in my browser.
- That flavour is my favourite at this ice cream shop.
- My favourite pair of shoes are wearing out.
Favorite in US English
Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the American spelling.
In the United States, "favorite" is the universally accepted standard across digital interfaces, sports, and everyday life. American tech companies, media, and sports leagues use the simplified 'or' spelling exclusively.
Digital & Social Media
American tech platforms like Twitter (X) historically used the "favorite" spelling (represented by a star icon) before shifting to "like." The term is still used for bookmarking in browsers (Favorites folder).
Sports & Betting
In American sports betting, "favorite" refers to the team or athlete expected to win a game or match, as opposed to the "underdog."
Pop Culture & Media
The spelling is cemented in American pop culture, from Stephen King's novel The Favorite to the countless Top 10 Favorite lists on American television.
Common American Phrases
• Favorite son: A popular local political candidate.
• Favorites bar: A web browser feature for saved links.
• Least favorite: The one you like the least.
• Fan favorite: A widely popular player or character.
Favourite in UK English
Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the British spelling.
In the UK, "favourite" is the standard in digital interfaces, sports, and literature. British bookmakers, news outlets, and tech users retain the traditional 'our' spelling.
Digital & Social Media
UK browser settings and software interfaces strictly use "favourites" for bookmark folders. Social media uses "favourite" in formal text, though the icons remain universal.
Media & Publications
British news outlets like the BBC and The Guardian consistently use the "favourite" spelling in their reporting, reviews, and sports coverage.
Cultural & Literary Usage
The word appears in iconic British literature and is used frequently in school settings, such as the classic essay prompt "My Favourite Animal."
Common British Phrases
• Favourite colour: The standard spelling for a child's preferred hue.
• Favourite subject: Top choice in school.
• Favourite team: The club one supports.
• Pop favourite: A widely liked pop song.
Related -or vs -our Vocabulary
Other words that follow this spelling pattern.
| US English | UK English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite | Favourite | Preferred above all others. |
| Color | Colour | The property possessed by an object of producing a sensation of hue. |
| Honor | Honour | High respect or great esteem. |
| Neighbor | Neighbour | A person living next door to or very near the speaker. |
Other US–UK Spelling Differences
More words that change when you cross the pond.
Color vs. Colour
Americans spell it "color," while Britons use "colour."
Center vs. Centre
The American spelling ends in "-er," while the British ends in "-re."
Traveler vs. Traveller
The US uses one "l," while the UK doubles the "l" in "traveller."
Catalog vs. Catalogue
Americans prefer "catalog," while Britons keep the traditional "catalogue."
Common Mistakes
Frequent errors writers make with these spellings.
Mixing spellings within the same document.
✓ Pick one regional standard and stick to it.
Why: Writing "My favorite colour is blue" in an American paper, or "My favourite color is blue" in a UK paper, confuses the reader and breaks consistency.
Using "favourite" in an American academic paper.
✓ Use "favorite" for US-based journals and schools.
Why: American professors and publishers expect standard American English. Using the British spelling looks like a typo in this context.
Spelling it "favorite" in a UK publication.
✓ Use "favourite" for UK audiences.
Why: British publishers strictly enforce regional spelling standards, especially in print media and educational materials.
Assuming "favourite" is outdated or archaic.
✓ Recognize it as the current, active British spelling.
Why: Some Americans assume it's an old-fashioned word, but it is entirely modern and standard in the UK today.
Overusing the word "favorite" in formal writing.
✓ Use "preferred" as a synonym in both varieties.
Why: In both US and UK formal writing, "preferred" often sounds more professional than "favorite/favourite."
Mispronouncing "favourite" as "fav-oor-ite."
✓ Pronounce it "FAY-vuh-rit."
Why: The "u" in the British spelling is silent, just like in "colour." It does not create an extra syllable or a different vowel sound.
Forgetting that Canada usually aligns with the UK.
✓ Use "favourite" for Canadian audiences.
Why: Despite being heavily influenced by American media, Canadian English retains the British "u" in words like favourite, colour, and honour.
Confusing the spelling of the root word.
✓ Use "favour" as the root in the UK, "favor" in the US.
Why: The base noun/verb is spelled "favour" in British English and "favor" in American English, which dictates the adjective spelling.
Translating "favorites bar" (browser) to "favourites bar" for a US app.
✓ Check the device's regional language setting.
Why: Tech interfaces adapt to the user's location. Ensure your software localization uses the correct regional spelling for UI elements.
Treating "favorite" and "favourite" as different words with distinct meanings.
✓ Recognize them as regional spelling variants of the same word.
Why: An favorite is the exact same concept as a favourite. The difference is purely orthographic and geographical.
Writing for an International Audience
How to handle the split when writing globally.
If you are writing a blog, book, or manual for a global audience, you must pick a primary English standard. Most international organizations choose either US or UK English as their default and stick to it.
Pro Tip: Because American media dominates globally, many ESL learners are more familiar with "favorite." However, if your organization is based in Europe or the Commonwealth, "favourite" is the expected standard.
Memory Tip
An easy way to remember which spelling belongs to which country.
If you struggle to remember the difference, use this simple association trick:
Notice the letter "u." The United Kingdom has a "u" in its name, and they keep the "u" in "favourite." America has no "u" in its name, and they drop the "u" for "favorite."
🎮 Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these interactive questions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Are 'favorite' and 'favourite' pronounced the same way?
Yes, they are pronounced identically. Both are pronounced with three syllables: FAY-vor-ite. The 'u' in the British spelling is silent.
Why does America use 'favorite' instead of 'favourite'?
In the early 19th century, American lexicographer Noah Webster sought to simplify American spelling to make it distinct from British English and more phonetic. Dropping the 'u' in words like 'favourite' and 'colour' was part of this movement.
Is 'favourite' ever used in the United States?
It is very rare in modern American English. You might occasionally see it in historical texts, but 'favorite' is the undisputed standard in the US today.
What about Canada and Australia? Which spelling do they use?
Canada and Australia generally follow the British spelling ('favourite'), though American media also makes the 'or' spelling widely understood.
Can 'favorite' be used as a noun?
Yes. Beyond being an adjective, 'favorite' can be a noun referring to the person or thing that is preferred, or the competitor expected to win a race or contest.
Which spelling is older, 'favorite' or 'favourite'?
'Favourite' is the older spelling. It was adapted from the French word 'favori' in the 16th century. 'Favorite' came later as an Americanized simplification.
Should I use 'favorite' or 'favourite' in academic writing?
You should match the spelling to the regional standard of your audience or publisher. If you are writing for an American journal, use 'favorite'. For a British or international European journal, 'favourite' is preferred.
What is the origin of the word?
The word originates from the French word 'favori', meaning 'preferred,' which ultimately stems from the Latin 'favor', meaning goodwill or partiality.
Are there other words that follow this 'or' vs 'our' pattern?
Yes, many. The most common examples include color/colour, honor/honour, neighbor/neighbour, labor/labour, and humor/humour.
Which word is more commonly used globally today?
Because of the dominance of American media, tech companies, and Hollywood, 'favorite' is highly recognized globally. However, 'favourite' remains the correct standard spelling in formal British, Australian, and Canadian English.
Quick Comparison
The final verdict on favourite vs favorite.
| Factor | Airplane | Aeroplane |
|---|---|---|
| Region | USA | UK |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| Safest Alternative | Preferred / Top choice | Preferred / Top choice |
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