How to pronounce favorite
Say it like FAY-vuh-rit. Favorite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce favorite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAY
- vuh
- rit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Favorite pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ritKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of favorite
American and British speakers say favorite in essentially the same way: /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ in the US and /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAY-vuh-rit.
What does favorite mean?
- something regarded with special favor or liking“that book is one of my favorites”
- a special loved one
- a competitor thought likely to win
- appealing to the general public“a favorite tourist attraction”
- preferred above all others and treated with partiality“the favored child”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with favorite
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of favorite.
Words that sound like favorite
Questions about saying favorite
How do you pronounce favorite?
Say FAY-vuh-rit. The American pronunciation is /ˈfeɪvərɪt/. In British English it is /ˈfeɪvərɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in favorite?
Favorite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY). Broken into parts: FAY · vuh · rit.
Do Americans and Brits say favorite the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ and the British form is /ˈfeɪvərɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as favorite?
Favorite sounds the same as favourite in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.