Favorite or Favourite: Meaning, Differences, and Examples

Have you ever wondered whether to write favorite or favourite? Both spellings are correct, but the right choice depends on the type of English you use. American English uses favorite, while British English uses favourite. Both words have the same meaning and pronunciation.

For example, an American might write, “Pizza is my favorite food,” while a British writer would write, “Pizza is my favourite food.” Neither spelling is wrong. You simply need to choose the form that suits your audience and use it consistently.

Quick Answer: Favorite or Favourite?

Favorite is the standard American English spelling. Favourite is the standard British English spelling and is also widely used in Canadian English. Both refer to a person or thing that someone likes more than others.

Spelling	English Variety	Example
Favorite	American English	This is my favorite book.
Favourite	British English	This is my favourite book.
Favourite	Canadian English	What is your favourite sport?

What Does “Favorite” Mean?

Favorite is the American English spelling of a word that describes a person or thing someone likes or prefers more than others.

It can be used as both an adjective and a noun.

Favorite as an Adjective

As an adjective, favorite describes something a person likes best.

Examples:

• Chocolate is my favorite dessert.
• Blue is her favorite color.
• He is my favorite singer.
• What is your favorite movie?

Favorite as a Noun

As a noun, favorite refers to a person or thing that someone especially likes.

Examples:

• Which book is your favorite?
• That song is one of my favorites.
• She has always been a teacher’s favorite.

In American English, the word is spelled favorite, without the letter u.

What Does “Favourite” Mean?

Favourite has exactly the same meaning as favorite. It is the standard spelling in British English and is commonly used in Canada and other countries that follow British spelling conventions.

Like favorite, it can be used as an adjective or a noun.

Examples:

• This is my favourite restaurant.
• Reading is her favourite hobby.
• He is my favourite actor.
• Which dessert is your favourite?
• That is one of my all-time favourites.

The only difference between favorite and favourite is the spelling. Neither form has a different meaning.

Favorite or Favourite in American English

In the United States, favorite is the standard spelling. American English generally uses shorter forms of several words that contain a u in British English.

Common examples include:

• Favorite
• Color
• Honor
• Neighbor
• Labor
• Humor

Here are a few examples of American usage:

• Pizza is my favorite food.
• My favorite color is green.
• She is my favorite author.
• This is my favorite place to visit.

If you are writing for an American audience, use favorite throughout your article or document.

Favorite or Favourite in the UK

In the United Kingdom, favourite is the standard spelling. British English retains the u in several words where American English does not.

Examples:

• Tea is my favourite drink.
• What is your favourite book?
• She is my favourite actress.
• This is my favourite place in London.

Other common British spellings include colour, honour, neighbour, and labour.

If your readers are mainly in the UK, choose favourite and follow British spelling conventions throughout your writing.

Is It Favorite or Favourite in Canada?

Both spellings can appear in Canadian English, but favourite is a traditional and widely accepted Canadian spelling.

Canadian English has its own conventions, influenced by both British and American usage. However, British-style spellings remain common in many Canadian publications.

Examples:

• Hockey is my favourite sport.
• This is my favourite restaurant.
• What is your favourite book?

If you are writing for a Canadian audience, favourite is generally a safe choice. You should also follow any spelling guidelines provided by your school, workplace, or publication.

Favorite or Favourite Food: Which Is Correct?

Both favorite food and favourite food are correct. The spelling depends on the variety of English you are using.

American English:

“Pizza is my favorite food.”

British English:

“Pizza is my favourite food.”

The same spelling difference applies to other common expressions.

American English	British English
Favorite movie	Favourite movie
Favorite song	Favourite song
Favorite book	Favourite book
Favorite sport	Favourite sport
Favorite restaurant	Favourite restaurant
Favorite color	Favourite colour

Remember that the spelling of other words may change as well. For example, American English uses color, while British English uses colour.

Why Are Favorite and Favourite Spelled Differently?

The difference comes from the development of American and British English spelling conventions.

Over time, American English standardized shorter spellings for several words, while British English retained the u in many traditional forms.

Here are some common examples:

American English	British English
Favorite	Favourite
Color	Colour
Honor	Honour
Neighbor	Neighbour
Labor	Labour
Humor	Humour

These differences do not mean that one variety is more correct than the other. Both are accepted forms of English, and each follows its own spelling conventions.

Is One Spelling Incorrect?

No. Neither favorite nor favourite is incorrect. The correct choice depends on your audience and the spelling style you follow.

For example:

• American English: My favorite color is blue.
• British English: My favourite colour is blue.

Mixing American and British spellings is not necessarily a grammatical error, but it can make your writing look inconsistent.

If you start an article using American spelling, continue using American forms. If you choose British English, use British spellings throughout.

When Should You Use Favorite or Favourite?

The easiest way to choose is to consider who will read your writing.

Use “Favorite” for American English

Choose favorite for US audiences, American publications, and content that follows American English conventions.

Examples:

• This is my favorite restaurant.
• My favorite subject is English.
• Who is your favorite football player?

Use “Favourite” for British English

Choose favourite for UK audiences and publications that follow British English.

Examples:

• This is my favourite restaurant.
• My favourite subject is English.
• Who is your favourite football player?

Use “Favourite” for Canadian English

Favourite is a widely accepted traditional Canadian spelling.

Examples:

• This is my favourite café.
• My favourite season is autumn.
• Who is your favourite hockey player?

When writing for a specific organization or publication, check its style guide and follow its preferred spelling.

Examples of Favorite vs Favourite in Sentences

The following examples show how the two spellings work in everyday sentences.

Example 1: Talking About Food

• American: Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
• British: Ice cream is my favourite dessert.

Example 2: Talking About Books

• American: This is my favorite book.
• British: This is my favourite book.

Example 3: Talking About Music

• American: That is my favorite song.
• British: That is my favourite song.

Example 4: Talking About Places

• American: New York is one of my favorite cities.
• British: London is one of my favourite cities.

Example 5: Using the Plural Form

• American: These are my three favorites.
• British: These are my three favourites.

In every example, the meaning stays the same. Only the regional spelling changes.

A Simple Way to Remember the Difference

You can remember the difference with one simple rule:

• US English: Favorite
• UK English: Favourite
• Canadian English: Favourite is a traditional choice.

Another helpful trick is to remember color and colour. If you already know that American English uses color and British English uses colour, you can apply the same pattern to favorite and favourite.

The British form keeps the u, while the American form leaves it out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking “Favourite” Is Misspelled

Favourite is not a spelling mistake. It is the standard British English spelling and is widely used in Canadian English.

2. Assuming “Favorite” Is Correct Everywhere

Favorite is correct in American English, but British English normally uses favourite. Always consider your target audience.

3. Mixing American and British Spelling

Using favorite alongside colour can make your writing inconsistent if you are following one regional style. Choose American or British English and stick with it unless your style guide says otherwise.

4. Assuming the Pronunciation Is Different

The two spellings are generally pronounced the same way. The difference is mainly in writing, not meaning or pronunciation.

5. Giving the Words Different Meanings

Favorite and favourite do not describe different things. They are simply regional spellings of the same word.

Conclusion

Both favorite and favourite are correct spellings of the same word. Use favorite in American English and favourite in British English. The latter is also a traditional choice in Canadian English. Neither form is universally better; the best option depends on your audience. Choose one spelling style and use it consistently to keep your writing clear and professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is favorite or favourite correct?

Both are correct. Favorite is standard in American English, while favourite is standard in British English. The choice depends on the variety of English you follow.

Which spelling is correct in the UK?

Favourite is the standard British English spelling. Use it when writing for UK readers or following a British English style guide.

Is “favorite food” correct?

Yes. Favorite food is correct in American English. In British English, favourite food is the standard form. Both expressions have the same meaning.

Is favorite or favourite correct in Canada?

Both spellings occur, but favourite is a traditional and widely accepted Canadian form. Check your publication’s style guide if one is provided.

Is “favourite” a British spelling?

Yes. Favourite is the standard British English spelling. American English generally uses favorite, without the letter u.

How can I remember favorite vs favourite?

Remember that American English uses favorite, while British English uses favourite. The British form keeps the u, just as in colour and honour.