adjective
1.
accorded special treatment or attention
a favorite daughter
Synonyms: beloved, blue-eyed, darling, dear, fair-haired, loved, pet, precious, white-haired, white-headed
Related Word: admired, adored, esteemed, revered; cherished, prized, treasured
Idioms: dear as the apple of one's eye, dear to one's heart, held dear
Contrasted words: contemned, despised, disdained; abhorrent, detested, hated
2.
constituting a favorite
favorite melodies
Synonyms: favored, popular, preferred, well-liked
Related Word: laudable, pleasant, praiseworthy; cherished, prized, treasured
Contrasted words: despised, detested, disliked, hated, unpopular; eschewed, rejected