What is the meaning of fav and fave (fav vs fave), and what word are they derived from?
“Fav” and “fave” may not be found in some English dictionaries, but the Cambridge Dictionary defines “fav” as a noun and adjective. According to sources online, “fav” and “fave” are short words derived from the word “Favourite”.
Favourite is the spelling commonly used in British English, while favorite is often used in American English.
Fav and favs are commonly used by people as a noun, adjective, or verb. So, what do fav and fave mean and how often are they used?
What Is the Meaning Fav?
Fav or fave is a short word derived from the word “favourite” (British English) or favorite (American English). The Cambridge Dictionary defines fav as a noun and adjective and it can also be used as a verb.
When used as a noun, fave means someone or something that is preferred. As an adjective, fav is used to relate to something that we love and cherish.
Fav and fave are both derived from the word favourite (British English) or favorite (American English).
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Etymology of Fav
Multiple online sources suggest that these short words fav and fave became a thing in 1938. Little or no information about the short word fav is available to prove the origin of these words “fav” and “fave”.
These short words derived from favourite (British English) or favorite (American English) are mostly used on social media platforms and during informal conversations.
Fav vs Fave: Where Does the Short Fave Come From?
According to Dictionary.com, fave first appeared as a short word for “favorite” (U.S. English) in the mid-1900s. It was first used in 1938 and recorded by the Dictionary of American Slang.
By 1947, fave became popular as the music magazine Billboard described DJs picking their “fave band”. Fave was initially the preferred short word of favorite (U.S. English) until the spelling “fav” emerged in the late 20th century.
People started using the spelling “fav” in 1999. By the early 21st century, “favourite” was used by people as a verb on social media sites.
Flickr introduced a feature called “Your Favourite” in 2004. The new feature allowed users to comfortably save pictures. In that same year, an employee of Flickr used favourited as a verb while responding to a customer.
The word “favourited” was also used as a verb by the official blog of Flickr in 2005. A few years later, users of Flickr began using the short word “faved” as a verb.
Ever since then, “faved” has been adopted by other social media sites.
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Who Uses Fave?
Fav or fave are short words derived from the word “favourite” (British English) or favorite (American English). The Cambridge Dictionary defines fav as a noun and adjective and it can also be used as a verb.
The short word “fave” is mainly used during an information conversation in reference to someone or something that is preferred or liked above all others.
Fave can also be used by people to reference social media activity. For example, I “faved” her tweet. We can also look at some publications that like to use fav and fave.
The New York Times for example prefer to use “fav”, while The Atlantic likes “fave” more.
Fav vs Fave: How to Use Them in a Sentence
Fave or fav are mostly used during informal conversations. Here are a few examples of sentences where “fave” or “fav” is used.
- During the board meeting, members were discussing which employee to promote, my fave is Celine.
- At first, I thought I would enjoy the food because spicy foods are my fave, but I was wrong as the dish was too hot for me.
- Remember to ask him some questions, what he likes to do after work, fav books, music, etc.
- In order to choose a fav meal, I suggest that you should taste each meal.
- Some of these latest games will eventually make it to the family fav’s list.
- What is your fav music genre and why?
- Who is your fav character from the book and what is the finest attribute of that character?
- From her book collection, I think her fav author is Han Christian.
- The trial had to be stopped because the juror faved a newspaper report.
- One of his fav places to sit is under the trees.
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Fav vs Fave: How People Use Them
According to Dictionary.com, fave first appeared as a short word of “favorite” (U.S. English) in the mid-1900s. It was first used in 1938 and recorded by the Dictionary of American Slang.
Fave or fav are mostly used during informal conversations and on social media sites to reference someone or something preferred or like above all others.
Using Fav and Fave in Conversations
What we can tell you is that fave originated during the mid-20th century, while fav became a popular spelling during the late 20th century.
It’s unwise to use these short words during a formal conversation because it may confuse the other person.
People have always argued about how fave should be pronounced. There are linguistics who think the word should have the same vowel sound as the word “save”.
But regardless of what anyone claims that the right pronunciation should be, the pronunciation in some dictionaries will be /feɪv/.
In Social Media
The hashtag #fave has been used by Instagram users more than two million times. Twitter is another social media site where you will find other popular hashtag combinations.
Both Instagram and Twitter have popular hashtag combinations like #FavArtistTop15, #FaveHandMade, and #FaveChoreography.
You will also find #fav in over four million Instagram posts. The #fav post is one of the most popular posts where you will find a lot of photos of several people.
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Other Similar Terms that Can Replace “Favourite”
The following are similar terms related to “favourite”.
- Cherished
- Adored
- Esteemed
- Admired
- Treasured
- Beloved
- Precious
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about fav vs fave.
Is fav a slang?
According to Dictionary.com, fave first appeared as a short word of “favorite” (U.S. English) in the mid-1900s. It was first used in 1938 and recorded by the Dictionary of American Slang.
What other slang words have the same meaning as favourite?
Jewel, blue-eyed body, and the apple of my eyes are other slang words that can be used for favourite.
Conclusion
Fav or fave is a short word derived from the word “favourite” (British English) or favorite (American English). The Cambridge Dictionary defines fav as a noun and adjective and it can also be used as a verb.
Fave or fav is mostly used during informal conversations and on social media sites to reference someone or something preferred or like above all others. It’s unwise to use these short words during a formal conversation because it may confuse the other person.
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References
- Thecontentauthority: Fav Vs Fave, When And How To Use Each One Correctly
- Dictionary.com: Slang Dictionary (fav)
- Cambridge Dictionary: Fav
