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Favorites - 英语词汇详解 (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：preferred things (Favorites)
Favorites
/ˈfeɪvərɪts/
n.pl.
Things or people you like the most.
preferred things
➕
/prɪˈfɜrd θɪŋz/
n.pl.
Things or people that someone likes the most.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'favor' (goodwill) + '-ite' (belonging to), forming 'favorite' (preferred one), with plural -s.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'FAV' (short for favorite) + 'RITES' — the things you treat as special rituals.
📖 Example
I created a new playlist with all my favorites from the 90s.
I made a new playlist containing all my favorite songs from the 1990s.
🔗 Collocations
personal favorites – things that an individual likes the most
fan favorites – items or people most liked by fans
🔄 Synonyms
preferences (n.pl.) – The things someone likes more than others.
top picks (n.pl.) – The most preferred options.
🚫 Antonyms
least favorites (n.pl.) – Things or people that are liked the least.
📖 Cultural Story
Originally from Latin 'favor', via Old French 'favorit' in the 17th century. Now widely used in digital contexts like browser bookmarks ('favorites') or music playlists.
Meaning 2：frontrunner (Favorites)
Favorites
/ˈfeɪvərɪts/
n.pl.
The one most expected to win in a competition.
frontrunner
➕
/ˈfrʌntˌrʌnər/
n.pl.
The competitor or team that is most likely to win, according to predictions or public opinion.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Although there are many strong teams, the defending champions are still the favorites to win the tournament.
Even though many strong teams exist, the defending champions remain the favorites to win the tournament.
🔗 Collocations
heavy favorite – the competitor with very high odds of winning
betting favorite – the one considered most likely to win according to bookmakers
🔄 Synonyms
frontrunner (n.) – the person or team leading in a competition
top seed (n.) – the highest-ranked player or team in a tournament
🚫 Antonyms
underdog (n.) – the competitor expected to lose
🌱 Derivatives
favorite (adj.) – most likely to win (e.g., favorite team)
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