Favourite’ or ‘Favorite’: Unveiling the Spelling Mysteries explores how American and British English use different spellings for the same word, shaped by language history and regional usage.
The words favorite and favourite share a common backstory and express the same meaning, function, and semantics, but their spelling reflects different English standards. In American English, favorite is preferred, while British English uses favourite. This pattern also appears in color/colour, flavor/flavour, honor/honour, and rumor/rumour, where American English often drops letters and uses the -or ending while British practice keeps the -our ending. The spelling differences developed through the history of English, including the Norman conquest of England in 1066 and French influence, which contributed the ou pair to certain variants.
Samuel Johnson, a famous British lexicographer, favored -our spellings in his 1755 dictionary, while Noah Webster promoted -or spellings in his 1828 dictionary, helping shape American English. Today, both forms are technically interchangeable in meaning, but your choice depends on context, audience, geographical background, and English standards. American writers and publications generally use favorite, while British writers and publications prefer favourite. These differences extend to derivatives such as favorites/favourites, favoritism/favouritism, and favorited/favourited. Understanding these variants helps new learners and writers create natural, accurate, and regionally appropriate English writing.
Quick Answer: Favourite or Favorite?
Both “favorite” and “favourite” are correct spellings of the same word.
| Spelling | English variety | Example |
| Favorite | American English | Pizza is my favorite food. |
| Favourite | British English | Pizza is my favourite food. |
Use “favorite” when you’re writing in American English.
Use “favourite” when you’re following British English conventions.
Neither spelling is more correct in every situation. The important thing is to match your spelling to your intended variety of English and remain consistent. Cambridge Dictionary identifies favorite as the US spelling of favourite and favourite as the UK spelling of favorite.
What Does “Favorite” or “Favourite” Mean?
At its core, favorite/favourite describes a person or thing that someone likes, enjoys, or prefers more than others.
For example:
- “Blue is my favorite color.”
- “Blue is my favourite colour.”
- “She is my favorite author.”
- “She is my favourite author.”
- “That restaurant is one of my favorites.”
- “That restaurant is one of my favourites.”
The meaning doesn’t change when the spelling changes.
The word can also describe a competitor expected to win a race, match, or competition. For instance, “Brazil is the favorite to win” uses “favorite in a different sense from “Chocolate is my favorite dessert.” Cambridge Dictionary lists both the preference meaning and the competition-related meaning.
Favorite as an Adjective
As an adjective, favorite/favourite describes something you prefer above comparable choices.
“This is my favorite book.”
Here, my favorite modified book.
British English simply changes the spelling:
“This is my favourite book.”
Favorite as a Noun
The word can also stand alone as a noun.
“That song is my favorite.”
Here, favorite means the thing that you like best.
In British English:
“That song is my favourite.”
The grammatical function stays exactly the same.
Favorite in Competition
A favorite/favourite can also mean the person, team, horse, or other competitor considered most likely to win.
“She is the favorite to win the tournament.”
“She is the favourite to win the tournament.”
This sense has a long history. Merriam-Webster records the noun favorite from 1583, while the racing sense developed later.
When Should You Use “Favorite”?
Choose your favorite when you’re writing in American English.
This is the spelling you’ll normally see in US books, newspapers, websites, school assignments, business documents, and everyday communication.
Consider these examples:
- favorite movie
- favorite restaurant
- favorite vacation
- favorite teacher
- favorite athlete
- favorite season
- favorite song
- favorite color
Notice that the spelling remains favorite even when the word takes different grammatical roles.
“My favorite movie is a comedy.”
“That movie is one of my favorites.”
“She is the favorite to win.”
The spelling is consistent because American English generally uses favor rather than favour.
That gives you an easy memory shortcut:
American English → favor → favorite
When Should You Use “Favourite”?
Choose your favourite when you’re following British English spelling.
The extra “u” isn’t a mistake. It’s an established part of British spelling.
You’ll see it in expressions such as:
- favourite book
- favourite film
- favourite football team
- favourite restaurant
- favourite color
- favourite author
- favourite song
British English also uses favour rather than favor.
For example:
“She did me a favour.”
“That is my favourite restaurant.”
Cambridge Dictionary explicitly identifies favourite as the UK spelling of favorite.
So another useful memory shortcut is:
British English → favour → favourite
Favorite vs. Favourite in American and British English
The difference becomes easier to understand when you place the words beside other familiar spelling pairs.
| American English | British English |
| favorite | favourite |
| favor | favour |
| color | colour |
| honor | honour |
| labor | labour |
This doesn’t mean American English simply removes every u from British spelling. English has plenty of exceptions and historical quirks.
Instead, these pairs reflect different spelling traditions that developed over time.
The favorite/favourite difference is particularly useful because the related word favor/favour follows the same pattern.
A Simple Comparison
Imagine you’re writing two versions of the same sentence:
American English:
“What is your favorite color?”
British English:
“What is your favourite colour?”
Neither sentence is wrong. Each follows a different spelling convention.
The mistake would be creating an inconsistent mixture without a reason, such as:
“What is your favorite colour?”
That combination can occur in real-world writing because international English is messy. However, if you’re deliberately writing in American English, your favorite color is the consistent choice. If you’re following British English, your favourite colour fits the same convention.
Are “Favorite” and “Favourite” Pronounced Differently?
Generally, no meaningful pronunciation difference separates the two spellings.
The written u in favourite doesn’t mean you pronounce an additional “you” sound. Cambridge gives pronunciation entries for both forms and treats them as regional spellings of the same word.
The exact pronunciation can vary slightly between accents, as you’d expect across English-speaking regions. However, the spelling distinction itself isn’t intended to create a different word or meaning.
Think of it this way:
Different spelling, same word.
That’s the central idea to remember.
Is “Favourite” More Correct Than “Favorite”?
No.
Calling one spelling “more correct” misses the point. Correctness depends on the English variety you’re using.
If you’re writing for a US audience:
My favorite is correct.
If you’re writing according to UK conventions:
My favorite is correct.
This distinction matters in professional writing because readers often recognize regional spelling immediately.
For example, a British publication might naturally write:
“Our favourite places to visit.”
An American publication would normally write:
“Our favorite places to visit.”
Both sentences communicate exactly the same message.
The Better Rule
Instead of asking which spelling is universally correct, ask:
“Which English spelling convention am I following?”
That question gets you to the right answer much faster.
Can “Favorite” and “Favourite” Be Nouns and Adjectives?
Yes. Both forms can function as nouns and adjectives.
As an Adjective
The word comes before a noun and describes a preferred person or thing.
“This is my favorite restaurant.”
“This is my favourite restaurant.”
As a Noun
The word stands alone to identify a preferred person or thing.
“That restaurant is one of my favorites.”
“That restaurant is one of my favourites.”
In Competition
The noun can identify a competitor expected to win.
“The team is the favorite.”
“The team is the favourite.”
Cambridge lists both noun and adjective uses for the two regional forms.
Read More: Conform With or Conform To: Which Is Correct?
Favorite vs. Favourite Across English-Speaking Regions
The US-versus-UK distinction provides the clearest rule, but global English doesn’t always fit into two neat boxes.
Different countries and institutions can follow different editorial traditions. Some international organizations, publishers, schools, and websites may use British conventions, while others use American conventions.
That’s why it’s safer to think in terms of style systems rather than assuming every country uses one spelling without exception.
A Practical Approach
When writing for a particular audience:
- Identify the required English variety.
- Check the publication’s existing spelling.
- Follow its style guide if one exists.
- Keep related spellings consistent.
- Don’t switch between favorite and favourite randomly.
This approach works especially well for websites that attract readers from multiple countries.
Common Mistakes With Favorite and Favourite
A tiny spelling difference can create confusion when writers don’t understand the reason behind it.
Mistake: Thinking “Favourite” Is Wrong
It isn’t.
If you’re reading British English, your favourite is the standard spelling.
Mistake: Thinking “Favorite” Is Incorrect Without the U
It isn’t.
American English uses favorite as the standard form.
Mistake: Mixing Regional Spellings
A document can contain both forms, but random switching usually looks careless.
For example:
“My favorite book is my favourite novel.”
If the writer intends to follow one variety of English, that inconsistency deserves attention.
Mistake: Assuming the U Changes the Meaning
It doesn’t.
Favorite = favourite
The difference is spelling, not meaning.
Mistake: Treating Regional Spelling as a Grammar Rule
This distinction primarily concerns orthography, meaning the way a word is written.
The underlying grammar remains the same.
Favorite and Favourite in Sentences
Side-by-side examples make the distinction crystal clear.
American English Examples
- “Pizza is my favorite food.”
- “That was my favorite scene.”
- “She bought her favorite chocolate.”
- “This is my favorite restaurant.”
- “He is the favorite to win.”
- “Those are my favorites.”
British English Examples
- “Pizza is my favourite food.”
- “That was my favourite scene.”
- “She bought her favourite chocolate.”
- “This is my favourite restaurant.”
- “He is the favourite to win.”
- “Those are my favourites.”
The sentences demonstrate an important point: the grammar doesn’t change when the spelling changes.
Favorite vs. Favourite in Formal and Academic Writing
Neither spelling is inherently more formal.
The right choice depends on the required English variety.
Suppose you’re writing an academic paper for an American university. In that setting, favorite would normally fit American English.
Now imagine you’re writing for a British institution. Favourite would generally be the appropriate choice.
The same principle applies to:
- academic essays
- professional reports
- business documents
- magazine articles
- websites
- school assignments
- marketing materials
- editorial content
Consistency Matters More Than Preference
A style guide can settle the issue immediately.
If the document uses:
- color
- favor
- honor
- labor
then favorite naturally fits that American spelling system.
If it uses:
- colour
- favour
- honour
- labour
My favourite fits the British system.
The goal isn’t to choose the spelling you personally like more. The goal is to maintain a coherent editorial style.
The History Behind “Favorite” and “Favourite”
The story gets more interesting once you look beyond modern spelling.
The word favorite has roots connected to French, Italian, and ultimately Latin. Merriam-Webster traces it through Italian favorito, from favorire and favore, with the deeper Latin connection to favor. Its first known English use as a noun dates to 1583.
The spelling wasn’t always fixed.
Early English spelling varied considerably. Historical texts contain numerous variations of familiar words because standardized spelling developed gradually rather than appearing overnight.
According to Merriam-Webster’s historical discussion, favourite became increasingly dominant in British English during the 17th century. American English followed a different path. During the 19th century, favor and favor increasingly gained ground in US publications.
The Noah Webster Connection
One major figure in the American spelling story was Noah Webster.
Webster promoted spelling reforms that helped distinguish American English from British conventions. His dictionaries favored shorter forms such as:
- favor instead of favour
- color instead of colour
- honor instead of honour
- favorite instead of favourite
His influence helped cement spellings that now look completely ordinary to American readers.
So that little missing u has a surprisingly long backstory.
How Did the “U” Get Into “Favourite”?
The u in favourite connects to the history of French influence on English.
After the Norman Conquest of 1066, French-speaking Normans exerted enormous linguistic influence on English. French spelling conventions helped shape several English words, including words with -our spellings. Merriam-Webster connects this historical influence to the development of favour and eventually favourite.
That history explains why English ended up with pairs such as:
- favor / favour
- color / colour
- honor / honour
American spelling later moved toward shorter forms in many of these cases.
British spelling retained the older -our convention.
So the u isn’t an arbitrary decoration. It reflects a genuine historical development in English spelling.
Favorite vs. Favourite in Digital Language
The word has also developed useful modern applications.
In computing, favorite/favourite can refer to a webpage, file, or other item saved for quick access.
For example:
“Add the website to your favorites.”
British English may use:
“Add the website to your favourites.”
Cambridge specifically records this computing sense, including favourite as a verb meaning to save a webpage or file for easier access later.
What About “Fave”?
You’ll also encounter fave, especially in casual speech and online writing.
“That’s my favorite song.”
“She’s my favorite character.”
Merriam-Webster lists fave as a noun meaning favorite and records its first known use in 1938.
However, fave belongs to a much more informal register. It works well in casual conversation, social media, and relaxed writing. It isn’t the best choice for every formal document.
A Quick Case Study: Choosing the Right Spelling
Consider a writer preparing two versions of a travel article.
Version for a US Publication
“Here are our favorite places to visit this summer.”
The spelling fits American English.
Version for a UK Publication
“Here are our favourite places to visit this summer.”
The spelling fits British English.
Now imagine the writer uses favorite in one paragraph, favourite in another, and colour elsewhere without following a deliberate editorial standard.
The reader can still understand the article. Nothing catastrophic happens. Yet the inconsistent spelling makes the writing look less polished.
Lesson: regional consistency matters more than choosing one form as universally superior.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
A simple memory trick can save you from checking the dictionary every time.
For American English
favor → favorite
Think:
US = favorite
For British English
favour → favourite
Think:
UK = favourite
You can also connect the pair to color/colour:
American: color, favor, favorite
British: colour, favour, favourite
This isn’t a rule for every English word. It’s simply a useful pattern for remembering these particular spelling pairs.
Favorite or Favourite: Which One Should You Use?
The answer depends on your audience.
Choose Favorite When:
- You’re writing American English.
- Your US publication uses American spelling.
- Your school or workplace follows American conventions.
- Your style guide specifies your favorite.
- Your surrounding text uses forms such as color, favor, and honor.
Choose Favourite When:
- You’re following British English.
- Your publication uses British spelling.
- Your institution requires UK conventions.
- Your style guide specifies your favourite.
- Your surrounding text uses forms such as colour, favour, and honour.
When You’re Unsure
Don’t guess based on which version “looks right.”
Instead:
- Check the publication’s existing spelling.
- Look at its editorial guidelines.
- Identify the intended audience.
- Follow the established regional convention.
- Apply the same system throughout the article.
FAQs
1. Is favorite or favourite correct?
Both favorite and favourite are correct. Favorite is the standard American English spelling, while favourite is preferred in British English and several other varieties.
2. Is my favorite American or British?
My favorite is the standard American spelling. It is commonly used in the United States and American publications.
3. My favourite British English?
Yes. Favourite is the traditional British English spelling and is also used in other English-speaking countries influenced by British standards.
4. Do favorite and favourite have the same meaning?
Yes. Both spellings have the same meaning and can function as a noun or adjective. The difference is primarily regional spelling, not meaning.
5. Why does American English use favorite?
American English often uses shorter spellings with -or instead of -our. This spelling pattern became associated with American English through language standardization and the influence of Noah Webster.
6. Why does British English use favourite?
British English retained the -our spelling in words influenced by French and historical English usage. Samuel Johnson supported many such spellings in his influential dictionary.
7. Are favorite and favourite interchangeable?
Yes, they are technically interchangeable in meaning. However, you should choose the spelling that matches your audience, region, or preferred English standard.
8. Which spelling should I use for an American audience?
Use favorite when writing for an American audience. It is the expected spelling in American books, websites, publications, and other forms of American English writing.
9. Which spelling should I use for a British audience?
Use favourite for a British audience. It follows standard British English conventions and is also common in countries that follow British spelling practices.
10. Do other words have the same spelling difference?
Yes. Similar examples include color/colour, flavor/flavour, honor/honour, and rumor/rumour. These pairs show the broader -or/-our spelling difference between American and British English.
Conclusion
Favorite and favourite are two spellings of the same word, and neither is incorrect. The main distinction comes from regional English standards. Favorite is preferred in American English, whereas favourite is standard in British English and related varieties. The same pattern appears in words such as color/colour, flavor/flavour, and honor/honour. Historical influences, including French influence, language development, and the work of Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster, helped shape these spelling conventions.
When choosing between favorite and favourite, focus on your intended audience and maintain consistency throughout your writing. If you’re writing for readers in the United States, choose favorite; for readers in the United Kingdom, choose favourite. Understanding this small spelling difference can make your English writing more natural, accurate, and appropriate for different regions.
