Nouns

(n)front-runner, favorite, favouritea competitor thought likely to win
(n)darling, favorite, favourite, pet, dearie, deary, duckya special loved one
(n)favorite, favouritesomething regarded with special favor or liking“that book is one of my favorites”

Verbs

(v)favorite, favouriteTo mark an item as a personal favorite on social media

Adjectives

(s)favorite, favouriteappealing to the general public“a favorite tourist attraction”
(s)favored, favorite, favourite, best-loved, pet, preferred, preferent, favouredpreferred above all others and treated with partiality“the favored child”