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”

Adjectives

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