Both “favourites” and “favorites” are correct spellings, but “favourites” is used in British English while “favorites” is the standard American English spelling. The difference is simply the letter u.
For example, British English uses “My favourite movie is this one,” while American English uses “My favorite movie is this one.” Both sentences have the same meaning and are grammatically correct.
The word favourite/favorite can describe something or someone that a person likes more than others. It can refer to food, colors, movies, books, sports teams, people, places, or almost anything a person prefers.
This spelling difference often causes confusion because English has several words that use our in British English but or in American English. Examples include colour/color, honour/honor, and flavour/flavor.
Understanding favourites or favorites is useful when writing for an international audience, preparing school assignments, creating website content, or choosing the appropriate English variety for your readers.
In this guide, we will explain the difference between favourites and favorites, their meaning, origin, British and American usage, common mistakes, examples, and when to use each spelling.
Favourites or Favorites : Quick Answer
Both spellings are correct.
- Favourites = British English
- Favorites = American English
The singular forms are:
- Favourite = British English
- Favorite = American English
Examples
British English:
Football is one of my favourites.
American English:
Football is one of my favorites.
Both sentences mean the same thing.
The Main Difference
The only spelling difference is the letter u:
Favourite → British English
Favorite → American English
Favourites → British English
Favorites → American English
Definition and Meaning of Favourite
Favourite is the British English spelling of a word that describes a person, thing, or activity that someone likes more than others.
Examples:
- Blue is my favourite color.
- This is my favourite book.
- She is my favourite teacher.
- That restaurant is one of my favourites.
The plural form is favourites.
Definition and Meaning of Favorite
Favorite is the American English spelling of the same word.
Examples:
- Blue is my favorite color.
- This is my favorite book.
- She is my favorite teacher.
- That restaurant is one of my favorites.
The plural form is favorites.
There is no difference in meaning between favourite and favorite. The difference is mainly regional spelling.
Favourites or Favorites: The Origin
The word favourite/favorite entered English through French and ultimately traces back to Latin roots associated with favor and approval.
The spelling developed differently in British and American English over time.
British English retained the our spelling:
favourite
American English generally adopted the shorter or spelling:
favorite
This difference is part of a wider pattern in English spelling.
For example:
| British English | American English |
| favourite | favorite |
| colour | color |
| honour | honor |
| flavour | flavor |
| humour | humor |
| behaviour | behavior |
These differences usually do not change the meaning or pronunciation significantly.
Favourites vs Favorites: British English and American English
The biggest distinction is regional.
British English
Use:
favourite
and:
favourites
These spellings are standard in the United Kingdom and are also common in other varieties influenced by British English.
Example:
What are your favourite books?
These are my favourites.
American English
Use:
favorite
and:
favorites
Example:
What are your favorite books?
These are my favorites.
What About Canadian, Australian, and Other English?
English spelling preferences can vary by country and publishing style.
Australian English commonly uses favourite/favourites, while Canadian English can use a mixture of British and American conventions depending on the word and context.
If you are writing for a specific audience, consistency is more important than mixing spelling systems.
Favourites or Favorites in Formal Writing
Both spellings are correct in the appropriate variety of English.
If your audience uses British English, write:
My favourite subject is computer science.
If your audience uses American English, write:
My favorite subject is computer science.
The important thing is to remain consistent.
Avoid switching randomly between:
favourite
and:
favorite
within the same piece of writing unless you are specifically discussing the spelling difference.
Common Mistakes With Favourites or Favorites
Mistake 1: Mixing British and American Spelling
A writer may use:
My favourite movie is one of my favorite films.
This is not necessarily grammatically wrong, but it mixes spelling conventions.
For consistent British English, use:
My favourite movie is one of my favourite films.
For American English, use:
My favorite movie is one of my favorite films.
Mistake 2: Thinking One Spelling Is Incorrect
It is incorrect to say that favorites is always wrong.
It is the standard American spelling.
Likewise, favourites is not a misspelling. It is the standard British spelling.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Plural
Singular:
My favorite book.
Plural:
My favorites are these books.
British:
My favourite book.
Plural:
My favourites are these books.
Mistake 4: Using “Favourite” in American Focused Content
If you are writing specifically for an American audience, favorite is usually the appropriate spelling.
Mistake 5: Using “Favorite” in British Focused Content
If your writing follows British English conventions, use favourite instead.
Favourites or Favorites in Everyday Examples
The word appears frequently in everyday writing.
Food
British:
Pizza is one of my favourite foods.
American:
Pizza is one of my favorite foods.
Movies
British:
This is my favourite movie.
American:
This is my favorite movie.
Books
British:
These are my favourite books.
American:
These are my favorite books.
Sports
British:
Manchester United is one of his favourite teams.
American:
The Lakers are one of his favorite teams.
Colors
British:
Blue is my favourite color.
American:
Blue is my favorite color.
Favourites or Favorites in Websites and Apps
You may see both spellings online.
For example, a website designed for a British audience might use:
Add to Favourites
An American website might use:
Add to Favorites
Both labels communicate the same basic idea: saving something you particularly like or want to access again.
This is why users may encounter both forms when using different websites, apps, or software.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The best spelling depends on your target audience.
Choose “Favourites” If:
- You are following British English.
- Your audience is mainly British.
- Your school or organization follows British spelling.
- Your content uses other British forms such as “colour” and “honour.”
Choose “Favorites” If:
- You are following American English.
- Your audience is mainly American.
- Your publication follows American spelling.
- Your content uses forms such as “color” and “honor.”
For Content
If you are targeting searches from a particular country, use the spelling commonly used by that audience.
For international content, you can naturally mention both forms:
Favourites or favorites are both correct; the choice depends on the English variety you follow.
This helps readers understand the spelling difference without treating either form as wrong.
Favourites or Favorites: Pronunciation
Favourite and favorite are generally pronounced very similarly.
The main difference is in spelling rather than meaning.
The British spelling contains the extra u, but that letter does not create a major pronunciation difference.
The plural forms, favourites and favorites, also have essentially the same meaning and very similar pronunciation.
Favourites or Favorites : Google Trends & Usage
The search phrase “favourites or favorites” is commonly associated with questions about British and American English spelling.
People may encounter favourites on British websites and favorites on American websites and wonder if one is incorrect.
The answer is that both forms are standard. Usage depends largely on the regional variety of English.
Search interest can vary by country and over time. For accurate comparisons, Google Trends should be checked for a specific country and date range rather than assuming one spelling is universally more popular.
People Also Ask Questions About Favourites or Favorites
1. Is it favourites or favorites?
Both are correct. Favourites is British English, while favorites is American English.
2. Is “favourites” British or American?
Favourites is the British English spelling.
3. Is “favorites” British or American?
Favorites is the American English spelling.
4. What is the difference between favourite and favorite?
There is no difference in meaning. Favourite is British spelling, while favorite is American spelling.
5. Is favourites spelled with a U?
Yes. The British plural spelling is favourites.
6. Is favorite without U correct?
Yes. Favorite is the standard American English spelling.
7. Which is correct in British English, favourite or favorite?
Favourite is the standard British English spelling.
8. Which is correct in American English, favourite or favorite?
Favorite is the standard American English spelling.
9. Are favourites and favorites pronounced differently?
They are generally pronounced very similarly, despite the spelling difference.
10. Can I use both favourites and favorites?
You can discuss both forms, but in normal writing it is best to follow one spelling system consistently.
Favourites vs Favorites : Comparison Table
| Feature | Favourites | Favorites |
| English variety | British English | American English |
| Singular | Favourite | Favorite |
| Plural | Favourites | Favorites |
| Meaning | Same | Same |
| Extra “u” | Yes | No |
| Correct spelling | Yes | Yes |
| Example | My favourites are these. | My favorites are these. |
| Main usage | UK and other British influenced varieties | USA and American influenced content |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “favourites” a correct word?
Yes. Favourites is the standard British English plural spelling.
Is “favorites” a correct word?
Yes. Favorites is the standard American English plural spelling.
Which spelling should I use in British English?
Use favourite for singular and favourites for plural.
Which spelling should I use in American English?
Use favorite for singular and favorites for plural.
Does the spelling change the meaning?
No. Both spellings have the same meaning.
Why does British English use “favourite”?
British English traditionally retains the our spelling in words such as “favourite,” while American English commonly uses or.
Are favourite and favorite interchangeable?
They have the same meaning, but your choice should match the English variety you are using.
Final Comparison: Favourites or Favorites
When comparing favourites or favorites, there is no single spelling that is correct for every English speaking audience. Favourites is the standard British English spelling, while favorites is the standard American English spelling.
The difference is easy to identify: British English keeps the u, while American English removes it.
For example:
British: My favourite books are these.
American: My favorite books are these.
The plural forms follow the same pattern:
British: favourites
American: favorites
Both words have the same meaning and are used to describe people or things that someone likes more than others.
The most important rule is consistency. If your article follows British English, use favourite/favourites throughout. If it follows American English, use favorite/favorites throughout.
Conclusion
Favourites and favorites are both correct spellings. The difference comes from British and American English spelling conventions rather than from grammar or meaning.
British English uses favourite in the singular and favourites in the plural. American English uses favorite and favorites. The key visual difference is the extra u in the British forms.
For example, a British writer might say, “This is my favourite book,” while an American writer would write, “This is my favorite book.” Both sentences are completely correct.
You should choose the spelling based on your target audience, location, school requirements, publication style, or preferred English variety. Most importantly, stay consistent throughout your writing instead of switching between British and American spelling without a reason.
So, if you are wondering favourites or favorites, remember this simple rule: favourites = British English; favorites = American English.
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Ethan Parker is an English-language writer known for his interest in words, language, and clear communication. His work focuses on making everyday English easier to understand through simple explanations and practical examples.
