How to spell favourite
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
favourite
F-A-V-O-U-R-I-T-E
The part to watch: favour + ite, keeping the u. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Favourite is built from favour, so it keeps the "our". The ending sounds like "rit" but is spelt ite. Favorite, with no u, is American.
Favourite is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with favourite
- Wrong: favourateRight: favourite
- Wrong: favriteRight: favourite
A way to remember it
Your favourite is the one you favour, and "our" favourite always has our in it.
Favourite in syllables
fa · vour · ite
Favourite has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Blue is my favourite colour.
Favourite on the statutory list
Favourite is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with favourite, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as favourite.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it favourite or favorite?
In the UK it is favourite, with a u. Favorite is the American spelling. Schools in England teach favourite, and it is the spelling on the Year 3 and 4 list.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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