favorite son
noun
1
: one favored by the delegates of his state as presidential candidate at a national political convention
2
: a famous person who is popular with hometown people
Example Sentences
an athlete who is one of New York's favorite sons
Recent Examples on the Web Some of the resentment landed on favorite son Jari Kurri — the first Finn elected to the NHL Hall of Fame — who went to work with the Russians as the team’s general manager. 
Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Prince Mohammed appeared to come out of nowhere seven years ago when his elderly father, King Salman, assumed the throne and began delegating power to his favorite son. New York Times, 14 July 2022 Yet here was an absurdist take on Asgard’s favorite son, brimming with the galaxy-hopping cosmic slop of imagination, reinvention and sheer goofiness. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2022 Last night at Coldplay‘s Music of the Spheres show at MetLife Stadium, Chris Martin and company brought up New Jersey’s favorite son, Bruce Springsteen, to cover a pair of his songs. Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 June 2022 With elections looming in April, President Aleksandar Vucic, the country’s authoritarian leader, has tried to walk a fine line, both encouraging vaccinations while steadfastly defending the nation’s favorite son. Marc Santora, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2022 Alabama’s favorite son, Lionel Richie, is back in his hometown for the first time in decades marking history at The World Games Closing Ceremony presented by @CocaCola_UNITED! Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 2 May 2022 Michigan edge/favorite son Aidan Hutchinson, popular choice for first pick, went to Detroit to hopefully tourniquet a hemorrhaging defense. Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2022 The entire state of West Virginia is upset at the show’s portrayal of West, the state’s favorite son who is known as Zeke from Cabin Creek, the stream near his birthplace. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2022 See More
Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Prince Mohammed appeared to come out of nowhere seven years ago when his elderly father, King Salman, assumed the throne and began delegating power to his favorite son. New York Times, 14 July 2022 Yet here was an absurdist take on Asgard’s favorite son, brimming with the galaxy-hopping cosmic slop of imagination, reinvention and sheer goofiness. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2022 Last night at Coldplay‘s Music of the Spheres show at MetLife Stadium, Chris Martin and company brought up New Jersey’s favorite son, Bruce Springsteen, to cover a pair of his songs. Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 June 2022 With elections looming in April, President Aleksandar Vucic, the country’s authoritarian leader, has tried to walk a fine line, both encouraging vaccinations while steadfastly defending the nation’s favorite son. Marc Santora, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2022 Alabama’s favorite son, Lionel Richie, is back in his hometown for the first time in decades marking history at The World Games Closing Ceremony presented by @CocaCola_UNITED! Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 2 May 2022 Michigan edge/favorite son Aidan Hutchinson, popular choice for first pick, went to Detroit to hopefully tourniquet a hemorrhaging defense. Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2022 The entire state of West Virginia is upset at the show’s portrayal of West, the state’s favorite son who is known as Zeke from Cabin Creek, the stream near his birthplace. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1
favorite son
noun
as in crown prince
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- crown prince
- stalking horse
- dark horse
- running mate
- claimant
- favorite
- pretender
- competitor
- spoiler
- qualifier
- entrant
- entry
- nominee
- contestant
- candidate
- applicant
- hopeful
- expectant
- seeker
- aspirant
- contender
- campaigner
- prospect
- applier
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incumbent
- noncandidate
- officeholder
- awardee
- inductee
- honoree
- dropout