favorite

nouns

something regarded with special favor or liking
"that book is one of my favorites"
favorite, favourite
a special loved one
darling, dearie, deary, ducky, favorite, favourite, pet
a competitor thought likely to win
favorite, favourite, front-runner

adjectives

appealing to the general public
"a favorite tourist attraction"
favorite, favourite
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
"the favored child"
best-loved, favored, favorite, favourite, pet, preferent, preferred