Pizza is my all time favorite food. Wait. Is that even right? You pause. You stare at the screen. Should there be a hyphen? Should it be time? Don’t worry. Almost everyone gets stuck here.
Even people who write every day make this mistake. It looks small. But it can make your writing look careless. So let’s fix it right now.
Here is the quick answer. The correct phrase is all-time favorite. The version with times is wrong. In this guide, you will learn the meaning, the grammar rules, and many real examples. By the end, you will use this phrase like a pro.
All-Time Favorite or All Time Favorite: Which is Correct?
The correct form is my all-time favorite. It has a hyphen. It has a singular word, time.
Many people write all time favorite without the hyphen. That is common in texting. But it is not the best form for school work or articles.
Here is a quick look:
- All-time favorites are correct and preferred.
- All time favorite is okay in casual chats only.
- All times favorite is wrong.
- All-times favorite is also wrong.
Think of it as one tight unit. Two words join hands to describe one thing. That is why the hyphen matters so much.
Why is “All-Time Favorite” the Correct Usage?
The all-time favorite meaning is simple. It is the one thing you love most. Not just today. Forever.
So why is times wrong? Look at these phrases:
- Part-time job, not parts-time job
- Full-time student, not fulls-time student
- Two-year plan, not two-years plan
When words join to describe a noun, the first word stays singular. The same rule works here. It is always all-time, never all times.
This is a compound adjective. The hyphen glues the words together. Without it, the phrase falls apart.
Read More:What Do You Call Someone Who Loves Music? 20+ Simple Terms
Simple Breakdown Table
This table shows every version at a glance. Check it before you write.
| What You Write | Correct? | Why |
| all-time favorite | Yes, correct | Proper hyphen, singular time |
| all time favorite | Sort of | Missing hyphen, okay in casual texting only |
| all times favorite | Wrong | Times (plural) is never correct here |
| all-times favorite | Wrong | Even with a hyphen, times is still wrong |
Quick tip: Writing an essay or article? Always use all-time favorite with the hyphen. Texting a friend? All time fav is totally fine.
Using “All-Time Favorite” in Different Situations
You can use all-time favorite for anything you love most. It works for songs, food, people, and places. It fits almost every part of life.
The phrase also works in both speech and writing. You can say it to a friend. You can write it in a school essay. It always sounds natural.
Let’s see how people use it in real life. Each example below shows the phrase in a simple sentence. Copy the pattern. Then swap in your own favorite thing.
Here are six common areas:
- Music
- Movies
- Food
- Sports
- Books
- Places
Music
Music is where people use this phrase the most. Songs stay in our hearts for years.
Example: Bohemian Rhapsody is my all-time favorite song. I have heard it a hundred times. I still love it.
When someone calls a song their all-time favorite, they mean one thing. No other song beats it.
Quick chat:
- “What is your all-time favorite song?”
- “Easy. It is Tum Hi Ho. I never get tired of it.”
Movies
Movies make strong memories. That is why people love naming their all-time favorite movie.
Example: The Lion King is my all-time favorite movie. I watch it every year. I always cry at the same part.
This means out of every movie ever made, this one wins. Forever.
Quick chat:
- “Which film is your all-time favorite?”
- “Spider-Man. I know every line by heart.”
Food
Food and favorites go together. Everyone has a dish they can never refuse.
Example: My mom’s chicken karahi is my all-time favorite meal. Nothing in the world tastes better.
It does not matter if a fancy restaurant opens nearby. This dish is still number one.
Quick chat:
- “What is your all-time favorite food?”
- “Biryani. Always biryani.”
Sports
Sports fans love to talk about their heroes. An all-time favorite player is a hero who never fades.
Example: Ronaldo is his all-time favorite football player. He has posters of him all over his room.
You can also use it for teams, matches, and moments. Think of a final you will never forget. That is your all-time favorite match.
Quick chat:
- “Who is your all-time favorite cricketer?”
- “Wasim Akram. His bowling was magic.”
Books
Readers often keep one special story close. That story becomes an all-time favorite book.
Example: Harry Potter is her all-time favorite book series. She has read it three times already.
A book can be your all-time favorite even if you read it once. What matters is how it made you feel.
Quick chat:
- “Do you have an all-time favorite novel?”
- “Yes. I reread it every winter.”
Places
Places hold memories. A city, a beach, or a village can become your all-time favorite place.
Example: Lahore is their all-time favorite city. They love the food, the history, and the people.
You can use the phrase for a cafe, a park, or a country too. If a place makes you smile every time, it deserves this title.
Quick chat:
- “What is your all-time favorite place to visit?”
- “The northern areas. The mountains feel like home.”
What About “All Time Fav” and “All Time Fave”?
You have seen these on Instagram and WhatsApp. They are short, casual versions.
- This song is my all time fav
- Naan with daal is my all time fave
Fav and fave are short forms of favorite. They are fine with friends and on social media.
But they are not for formal writing. In school work, emails, and articles, use the full form. Write all-time favorite.
All Time Favorite or All-Time Favorite Sentences
Sentences help you learn faster. Here are simple ones you can copy.
- Pizza is my all-time favorite food.
- This is my all-time favorite song.
- She picked her all-time favorite movie for the party.
- Summer is his all-time favorite season.
- That cafe is our all-time favorite spot.
See the pattern? The phrase comes before a noun. It tells us what kind of favorite it is.
Short and clear sentences work best. Keep your sentence simple. Let the phrase do the work.
All Time Favorite or All-Time Favorite Examples
Real examples show the rule in action. Let’s compare right and wrong.
Correct:
- Tom and Jerry is my all-time favorite cartoon.
- Chai is her all-time favorite drink.
Wrong:
- Tom and Jerry is my all time favorite cartoon.
- Chai is her all-time favorite drink.
Notice the problem. The wrong lines use times. That plural form breaks the rule.
Always check for the s. If you see an s on time, remove it. Then add the hyphen.
All Time Favorite or All-Time Favorite Meaning
The meaning is easy. It is the thing you like most among everything else.
It covers your whole life, not just this week. If you loved a movie last year but love a new one more, the new one may take the title.
Here is how to think about it:
- It shows deep love.
- It shows a top choice.
- It is personal to you.
Two people can have different answers. That is perfectly fine.
All-Time Favorite Meaning
Let’s go deeper. The words all-time mean through all of time. The word favorite means most liked.
Put them together. You get the most likes all of the time.
That is why the phrase feels strong. It is not a small thing. It is a big, lasting love.
Quick chat:
- “What does all-time favorite mean?”
- “It means the one you love the most, always.”
Simple and clear. That is all there is to it.
All Time Favorite or All-Time Favorite Grammar
Here is the grammar in plain words. All-time is a compound adjective. It describes the noun favorite.
A compound adjective has two or more words that work as one. We use a hyphen to join them.
Follow these three steps:
- Use the hyphen between all and time.
- Keep time singular.
- Place the phrase before the noun.
So you write all-time favorite, not all times favorite. Many English grammar rules work this way. Once you know one, you know many.
My All-Time Favorite
Sentences that start with my all-time favorite are very common. They feel personal and warm.
Examples:
- My all-time favorite season is winter.
- My all-time favorite teacher taught me English.
- My all-time favorite memory is Eid with my family.
You can also flip it around. Winter is my all-time favorite season. Both work well.
When you say my all-time favorite, you invite the listener in. They want to know more. It is a great way to start a story.
All Time Favorite or All-Time Favorite Answer
Here is the final answer. Use all-time favorite.
Why? Because it follows the compound adjective rule. It has a hyphen. It keeps time singular.
If someone asks you in class, say this: the hyphen joins the words, and time stays singular. Easy.
Short answer table:
- All-time favorite: use it
- All time favorite: casual only
- All times favorite: never use it
All Time Favorite Song Meaning
What does it mean when someone says a song is their all-time favorite? It means that song stands above all others.
It may bring back memories. It may calm them down. It may make them dance.
Example: Perfect by Ed Sheeran is my all-time favorite song. It reminds me of my best friend’s wedding.
A song can also be an all-time favorite because of its lyrics, its beat, or its story. The reason is personal. The title is lasting.
All Time Favorite Meaning
Let’s look at the phrase one more time. All time favorite meaning is searched a lot. People want a quick answer.
Here it is: the thing you like best, ever.
You can use it for:
- Food
- Music
- People
- Sports
- Places
- Hobbies
It works for almost anything. Just remember the hyphen when writing. That small line keeps your English clean and correct.
All Time Favorite
Sometimes people just type all time favorite as a search. They want to know if it is right.
Here is the honest answer. In informal writing, it passes. In formal writing, it does not.
The best choice is still all-time favorite. It looks neat. It follows the grammar rule. It makes you sound sure.
If you ever feel unsure, add the hyphen. You will rarely go wrong. It is a tiny fix with a big result.
My All Time Favorite Meaning
When you say my all time favorite, you mean the thing you love most. It is about you and your taste.
Example: Mango is my all-time favorite fruit.
This tells the reader one thing. Of all fruits you have ever tried, mango wins.
Quick chat:
- “What is the meaning of my all-time favorite?”
- “It means the best one in your heart.”
It is a warm phrase. It shows personality. That is why people use it daily.
American vs British English: Usage of “All-Time Favorite”
Here is something many people do not know. America and Britain spell this word differently. But the meaning is exactly the same.
- Americans write all-time favorite, with no u.
- British people write all-time favourite, with a u.
That is the only difference. The grammar rule stays the same. You still need the hyphen. You still keep time singular.
| American English | British English |
| color | colour |
| honor | honour |
| favorite | favourite |
| all-time favorite | all-time favourite |
Both spellings are correct. They are just used in different places.
Which One Should You Use?
Pick the spelling that matches your reader.
- In Pakistan, India, or any country that follows British English, use an all-time favourite.
- Writing for an American website? Use an all-time favorite.
- Not sure? Pick one and stay with it.
Never mix both in one article. That looks messy.
The key is to stay consistent from the first line to the last. Consistency shows care.
Does the Meaning Change?
No. The meaning does not change at all.
Whether you write all-time favorite or all-time favourite, you mean the same thing. It is your number one pick. It is the thing you love most.
Only the spelling changes. The idea stays the same.
Quick chat:
- “Is favourite different from favorite?”
- “No. It is the same word with a different spelling.”
So relax. Use the spelling that suits your audience. Your reader will understand you either way.
Alternative Ways to Say “All-Time Favorite”
Sometimes you do not want to repeat an all-time favorite. Using the same phrase again and again can feel dull.
Luckily, English has many simple options. Each one adds a slightly different feeling. Some are casual. Some sound fancy. Some work best with food or sports.
Let’s look at the best ones in the next section. Each comes with a short example. Pick the one that fits your sentence and your mood.
Easy Alternatives
Here are simple words that mean almost the same thing.
- Number one pick: Mango is my number one pick when it comes to fruits.
- Top choice: Italy is their top choice for a holiday.
- Go-to choice: Biryani is my go-to choice at any restaurant.
- Ultimate favorite: Tom and Jerry is my ultimate favorite cartoon.
- Perennial favorite: Cricket is a perennial favorite sport in Pakistan.
- Unequivocal favorite: Naan and karahi is our unequivocal favorite meal.
- Classic favorite: Samosas are a classic favorite at every Eid party.
Perennial and unequivocal sound a bit fancy. Use them when you want a formal tone.
Quick Reference Table
Use this table when you need a fast choice.
| Alternative Phrase | Use It When |
| Number one pick | You want to sound casual and clear |
| Top choice | You want short and simple |
| Go-to choice | Something you always return to |
| Ultimate favorite | You want to sound extra sure |
| Perennial favorite | Something loved for many years |
| Classic favorite | Something universally loved |
Still, all-time favorite remains the best everyday choice. It is clear, popular, and easy to understand.
FAQ’s
Is all-time favorite grammatically correct?
Yes. All-Time Favorite is correct because all-time works as a compound adjective before the noun.
Is all times favorite wrong?
Yes. All times favorite is incorrect. The correct form is All-Time Favorite, with a singular time.
What is the all time favorite meaning?
It means the thing you like most compared to everything else. All-Time Favorite shows your top pick forever.
Can I write all time favorite without a hyphen?
You can in casual writing. But All-Time Favorite with a hyphen is the correct form for formal English.
What does all time fave meaning mean?
All time fave is a casual short form. It means the same as All-Time Favorite and is common on social media.
Is favorite or favourite correct?
Both are correct. Favorite is American English, and favourite is British. All-Time Favorite or All-Time Favourite means the same.
Conclusion
In short, All-Time Favorite is the correct phrase. All times favorite is wrong. The hyphen is important. It joins two words into one compound adjective. That adjective describes the noun that follows. So All-Time Favorite is the form to trust.
Whether you talk about songs, movies, food, books, sports, or places, All-Time Favorite fits well. It makes your writing clean and natural. You can use all time fav or all time fave with friends. But in formal writing and SEO content, All-Time Favorite is always the best choice. Remember the rule, and use All-Time Favorite with confidence.
