Favored means preferred or given special advantage over others. When a team is favored to win a championship, people expect them to succeed because they're stronger or more skilled than their opponents. A favored candidate in an election is the one most people think will win.

The word can describe receiving special treatment. If parents seem to have a favored child, that child appears to get more attention, privileges, or lenient treatment than their siblings. Teachers try not to have favored students, treating everyone fairly instead.

Favored also describes something you particularly like or prefer. Your favored book might be the one you've read five times, or your favored seat in class might be the one by the window. In history, a favored knight was one the king trusted and rewarded with land or titles.

The word carries a sense of being chosen or preferred among options. A favored strategy in chess is one that works well in many situations. When something is favored, it stands out as the preferred choice, whether because of merit, luck, or personal preference.