Favorite or Favourite: Which One Is Correct?

Favorite and favourite have the same meaning. Favorite is the standard American spelling, while favourite is the standard British spelling.

If you have ever written favorite and wondered whether it should be favourite, you are not alone. Both spellings are correct, but the choice depends mainly on the variety of English you are using.

Favorite is used in American English, while favourite is used in British English and other varieties influenced by British spelling, including Australian and Canadian English in many contexts.

For example:

• What is your favorite movie?  American English
• What is your favourite movie?  British English

The meaning does not change. The only difference is the spelling.

Favorite vs Favourite: Key Difference

Word	Meaning	Main Usage	Best Used When
Favorite	A person or thing liked more than others	American English	Writing in US English
Favourite	A person or thing liked more than others	British English	Writing in UK English

Is “Favorite” Correct?

Yes. Favorite is the correct spelling in American English.

Examples:

• Pizza is my favorite food.
• She is my favorite teacher.
• What is your favorite color?
• This is my favorite book.

American English usually removes the u from words such as:

• favorite
• color
• honor
• neighbor

Is “Favourite” Correct?

Yes. Favourite is the standard British spelling.

Examples:

• Pizza is my favourite food.
• She is my favourite teacher.
• What is your favourite colour?
• This is my favourite book.

The spelling contains the extra u:

favourite

Favorite or Favourite in American English

For American English, use favorite.

Blue is my favorite color.

This spelling is standard in American schools, newspapers, websites, books, and everyday communication.

If your website or document follows American English, keep the -or and -ite spellings where appropriate:

• favorite
• color
• behavior
• neighbor

Favorite or Favourite in British English

For British English, use favourite.

Blue is my favourite colour.

British English commonly keeps the u in words ending in -our and uses favourite rather than favorite.

Other examples include:

• favourite
• colour
• behaviour
• neighbour

Are Favorite and Favourite Different Words?

No. They are spelling variants of the same word.

Both can be used as a noun or an adjective.

As a noun

Chocolate is my favorite.

Chocolate is my favourite.

Here, the word means a person or thing that someone likes more than others.

As an adjective

This is my favorite song.

This is my favourite song.

Here, the word describes something that is liked more than other choices.

Common Mistake

A common mistake is thinking that one spelling is correct and the other is wrong.

That is not the case.

❌ Favourite is always wrong.

❌ Favorite is always wrong.

Both statements are incorrect.

Instead, remember:

American English → favorite

British English → favourite

Examples of Favorite and Favourite

American English

• What is your favorite movie?
• Summer is my favorite season.
• She ordered her favorite dessert.
• He is my favorite player.
• This is one of my favorite songs.

British English

• What is your favourite film?
• Summer is my favourite season.
• She ordered her favourite dessert.
• He is my favourite player.
• This is one of my favourite songs.

The meaning remains exactly the same.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choose the spelling based on your target audience.

Use “favorite” when:

• Writing for a US audience
• Following American English
• Writing American-style academic content
• Publishing on a US-focused website

Use “favourite” when:

• Writing for a UK audience
• Following British English
• Writing in British-style English
• Maintaining British spelling throughout a document

If your audience is international, either form can work. The most important thing is to choose one English style and use it consistently.

Favorite vs Favourite: Quick Comparison

Feature	Favorite	Favourite
Correct spelling?	Yes	Yes
Meaning	Same	Same
American English	Standard	Uncommon
British English	Used, but less traditional	Standard
Noun	Yes	Yes
Adjective	Yes	Yes
Pronunciation	Same	Same

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “favorite” or “favourite” correct?

Both are correct. Favorite is the American spelling, while favourite is the British spelling.

Is “favourite” British or American?

Favourite is the standard British spelling.

Is “favorite” American or British?

Favorite is the standard American spelling. It is also used in British English, although favourite is the traditional British form.

Which spelling should I use in the USA?

Use favorite for American English.

Which spelling should I use in the UK?

Use favourite for standard British English.

Do favorite and favourite have different meanings?

No. They have the same meaning and pronunciation. The difference is mainly spelling and regional style.

Conclusion

Favorite and favourite are both correct spellings of the same word. The main difference is the English variety in which they are normally used.

Use favorite when following American English. Use favourite when following British English.

The easiest rule to remember is:

American English → favorite
British English → favourite

Neither spelling is inherently better. The right choice depends on your audience and the spelling style you are following.

Inquiry or Enquiry: Which Spelling Is Correct?