How to pronounce favourite
Say it like FAY-vuh-rit. Favourite 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 favourite. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAY
- vuh
- rit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Favourite 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 favourite
American and British speakers say favourite in essentially the same way: /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ in the US and /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAY-vuh-rit.
What does favourite mean?
- a competitor thought likely to win
- a special loved one
- something regarded with special favor or liking“that book is one of my favorites”
- appealing to the general public“a favorite tourist attraction”
- preferred above all others and treated with partiality“the favored child”
Where does favourite come from?
Attested from the 1580s, borrowed from Middle French favorit, from Old French favorit or Italian favorito (“favored, favorite”), past participle of Italian favorire (“to favor”), from favore, from Latin favor (“good will, favor”), from th
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with favourite
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of favourite.
Words that sound like favourite
Questions about saying favourite
How do you pronounce favourite?
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 favourite?
Favourite has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY). Broken into parts: FAY · vuh · rit.
Do Americans and Brits say favourite 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 favourite?
Favourite sounds the same as favorite in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.