favoritism

/ˈfeɪ.vər.ɪ.tɪ.zəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfeɪ.vər.ə.tɪ.zəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-ˌti-zəm ˈfā-vər-/ (ame, mw)

favoritism — noun

1. the US spelling of the British English word 'favouritism'. The meaning is the sa

1.名詞
釋義

the US spelling of the British English word 'favouritism'. The meaning is the same: unfair preference shown to one person or group over others.

例句

In American English, 'favoritism' is spelled without the letter 'u'.

US vs UK spelling difference

The newspaper uses 'favoritism' because it follows US spelling rules.

用法筆記

In British English, write 'favouritism' (with '-our-'). Both spellings refer to the same concept.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher was accused of favouritism' (in a US paper).
✅The teacher was accused of favoritism' (in a US paper).
💡Use the '-or-' spelling for American English contexts; use '-our-' for British English contexts.

2. when someone in authority treats a particular person or group more favourably th

2.名詞B2
釋義

when someone in authority treats a particular person or group more favourably than others, not because of ability or merit, but because of personal liking or connection — for example, a manager who always promotes a friend instead of more qualified workers.

例句

The coach faced accusations of favoritism after picking his son over stronger players.

accused of + favoritism (common verb collocation)

Aisha complained that the office promotions were based on favoritism rather than hard work.

based on + favoritism

同義詞
  • bias

    broader term — bias can be unconscious or systemic; favoritism involves intentional, personal preference

  • nepotism

    narrower term — specifically favouring family members in professional settings

  • partiality

    more formal; less common in everyday speech than 'favoritism'

反義詞
  • fairness

    the principle of equal treatment that favoritism violates

  • impartiality

    the quality of not favouring any side; often used in formal/legal contexts

用法筆記

Always describes a negative situation; the speaker disapproves of the unequal treatment. Frequently used in accusations, complaints, or criticisms of institutions (schools, workplaces, governments).

常見錯誤

❌The teacher shows favoritism to help the weak students.
✅The teacher shows favoritism by always calling on her favourite students.
💡Favoritism is always about unfair, not helpful, preference.
❌She has a favoritism for chocolate.
✅She has a preference for chocolate.
💡Favoritism applies to how people treat others, not personal likes or dislikes of things.