Short words are popular. People like fast typing, casual tone, and friendly language. That is why shortened forms like “favs” and “faves” are used so often online.
But this creates a common question: favs or faves — which one is correct? Many users search this keyword because both spellings appear everywhere.
You see them in social media posts, emails, playlists, menus, product reviews, and mobile apps. Yet dictionaries, teachers, and style guides do not always agree.
The confusion comes from informal English. Neither favs nor faves is a traditional standard word. Both are abbreviations of “favorites” or “favourites.”
Because English allows creative shortening, people spell the short form in different ways. Some prefer speed. Others prefer sound. Some follow American spelling habits, while others follow British ones.
This article clears up the confusion completely. You will get a quick answer, learn where these spellings came from, see how British and American English treat them, and understand which one fits your audience.
You will also see real examples, common mistakes, Google Trends insights, and expert advice. By the end, you will know exactly how to use favs or faves with confidence.
Favs or Faves – Quick Answer
Both favs and faves are informal abbreviations of favorites / favourites.
However, faves is more common and more natural in modern English.
Simple rule:
- Faves → more popular, sounds natural, widely accepted online
- Favs → shorter, casual, but less common
Examples:
- ✅ “These are my top faves.”
- ✅ “Save your favs for later.”
- ❌ Using either in formal writing like legal or academic papers
Neither spelling is wrong, but faves is the safer and clearer choice for most audiences.
The Origin of Favs or Faves
To understand favs or faves, we must start with the root word.
The base word: Favorite / Favourite
- Favorite → American English
- Favourite → British English
Both come from the Latin word favor, meaning approval or liking.
How the short forms developed
English speakers often shorten long words in casual speech:
- advertisement → ad
- refrigerator → fridge
- application → app
The same happened with favorite:
- favorite → fav
- favorites → favs / faves
Why two spellings exist
- Favs follows typing efficiency. It is quick and simple.
- Faves follows pronunciation. It reflects how people say the word out loud.
Most people pronounce it like:
“fayvz”
That sound naturally leads to faves, not favs.
British English vs American English Spelling
Interestingly, favs or faves is not a strict US vs UK issue.
Both forms are informal and used globally, especially online.
American English
- More likely to use faves
- Influenced by pop culture, apps, and social media
British English
- Also uses faves
- Less strict in casual writing
Comparison Table
| Feature | Favs | Faves |
|---|---|---|
| Formal English | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Informal English | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Social Media | ⚠️ Less common | ✅ Very common |
| Pronunciation match | ❌ Weak | ✅ Strong |
| Global usage | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ High |
There is no official spelling rule that makes one British and the other American. Usage preference decides.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The best spelling depends on your audience and context.
Use faves if:
- You write blogs or content
- You use social media
- You target global readers
- You want a friendly tone
Use favs if:
- Space is very limited
- You want a very casual style
- You are labeling buttons or tabs
Avoid both if:
- You are writing academic papers
- You are writing legal documents
- You need formal tone
Audience-based advice
| Audience | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| US readers | Faves |
| UK/Commonwealth readers | Faves |
| Global audience | Faves |
| Formal audience | Favorites / Favourites |
Professional advice:
If unsure, write the full word: favorites.
Common Mistakes with Favs or Faves
Even informal words can be misused.
1. Using them in formal writing
- ❌ “Our faves include several policy options.”
- ✅ “Our favorites include several policy options.”
2. Mixing tone
Using slang in professional emails can feel careless.
3. Incorrect apostrophes
- ❌ fav’s
- ❌ fave’s
- ✅ favs
- ✅ faves
Plural words do not need apostrophes.
4. Overusing slang
Too much informal language reduces clarity and trust.
Favs or Faves in Everyday Examples
Emails
- Casual: “Here are my faves from the menu.”
- Formal: “Here are my favorite items.”
News & Media
- Lifestyle blogs often use faves
- Hard news avoids both forms
Social Media
- “Drop your summer faves below!”
- “Saved all my faves 💙”
Apps & Websites
- “Add to Faves”
- “View your Favorites”
Formal Writing
- Use favorites
- Never use favs or faves
Favs or Faves – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search behavior gives us clear insight.
What Google Trends shows
- Faves is searched far more than favs
- Peaks during:
- Social media trends
- Entertainment topics
- Food and lifestyle content
By region
- US, UK, Canada, Australia → faves dominates
- ESL regions → people search “favs or faves” to confirm correctness
Context matters
- Faves → emotions, lists, recommendations
- Favs → buttons, UI labels, shortcuts
This confirms that faves is the dominant and preferred form.
Comparison Table: Keyword Variations
| Word | Meaning | Usage Level |
|---|---|---|
| favorites | Full form | Formal & informal |
| favourites | British full form | Formal & informal |
| fav | Singular informal | Casual |
| favs | Plural informal | Casual |
| faves | Plural informal | Very common |
FAQs
1. Are favs and faves real words?
They are informal abbreviations, not formal dictionary standards.
2. Which is more correct, favs or faves?
Neither is “more correct,” but faves is more accepted.
3. Can I use faves in professional writing?
No. Use favorites instead.
4. Is faves American English?
It is used globally, not limited to the US.
5. Why does faves look better?
It matches pronunciation and feels natural to readers.
6. Is favs wrong?
No. It is just less popular.
7. What should I use for content?
Use favorites in formal text and faves in casual sections.
Extended Usage Guidance (Practical Advice)
Content creators
Use faves for relatability. It feels friendly.
Brands
Use favorites for trust. Use faves in UI labels if brand tone is casual.
Teachers & students
Avoid both in exams or assignments.
ESL learners
Learn both, but prefer faves in casual English.
Conclusion
The question “favs or faves” exists because English allows flexible, informal spelling. Both forms come from favorites, and neither is technically wrong.
However, real-world usage tells a clear story. Faves is more popular, more natural, and more widely accepted across countries and platforms. It matches pronunciation and feels smoother to readers.
That said, context is everything. In formal writing, you should avoid both and use favorites or favourites instead.
In social media, blogs, apps, and casual communication, faves is the better choice. Favs still exists, but it is less common and feels more like a shortcut than a word.
If your goal is clarity, trust, and modern usage, choose faves. If your goal is professionalism, choose the full word.
Understanding this balance helps you write better, sound natural, and avoid confusion. Now you can use favs or faves with confidence, purpose, and the right tone.
Read more about;
Wives or Wifes
My name is James Whitmore.I am a language research writer. I explore the history and evolution of English words. I write detailed comparisons explaining why spellings change over time and how British and American English diverged. My articles add depth and credibility to grammar comparison topics.
