favoritism
part of speech
noun (favoritism; uncountable; UK spelling favouritism)
meaning for a pupil
Favoritism is unfairly treating one person or group better than others, because you like them more, not because they deserve it. tree →
sense in the lessons
In school and family life, children notice favoritism when a teacher always picks the same pupil or a parent seems to prefer one child. In citizenship, favoritism in jobs or government is unfair and can be corruption. In stories, a parent's favoritism often causes jealousy between brothers and sisters, like Jacob giving Joseph the special coat in the Bible. Phrases: «show favoritism», «accused of favoritism».
examples
- The coach was accused of favoritism because his son always played. tree →
- It's favoritism if the teacher only picks her friends' children. tree →
- Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph made his brothers jealous. tree →
- Parents try not to show favoritism. tree →
- Favoritism in hiring is unfair to good workers. tree →
- «That's favoritism!» my brother shouted when I got the bigger slice. tree →
note
American spelling: favoritism; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada usually write favouritism. Uncountable. Related: favourite / favorite, «teacher's pet».
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «favoritism» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.