All-time favorite or All-times favorite: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When deciding between all-time favorite or all-times favorite, the correct choice is always the first option. All-time favorite acts as a hyphenated compound adjective describing a singular record. The plural version is incorrect because the time period is a single concept in this context, not multiple distinct eras. You should use the singular form whenever referring to a top choice in history.

The Short Answer

All-time favorite is the correct phrase, while all-times favorite is a grammatical mistake that should be avoided in writing. The singular form aligns with standard English rules for compound adjectives.

People often confuse the two because the word time feels plural when thinking about past years. However, the phrase means the entire duration of history as one block, requiring the singular modifier to describe the single best item.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
all-time favorite	Correct	Describing the best thing ever made or done
all-times favorite	Incorrect	Never use this form in standard English
all-time	Compound Adjective	Used before a noun to mean throughout history
all time	Noun Phrase	Used when time is the object of a preposition

Correct Example Sentences

The movie is considered an all-time favorite by critics worldwide.
This song remains an all-time favorite for music lovers.
She won the all-time favorite award at the festival.
Our team is the all-time favorite for the upcoming tournament.
That book is an all-time favorite in the literary world.
The dish is an all-time favorite on the menu.
He is an all-time favorite among the fans.
This record is an all-time favorite for sales.
The car is an all-time favorite for collectors.
The story is an all-time favorite in our family.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

She is an all-times favorite for the job.: She is an all-time favorite for the job.
This is the all-times favorite movie of all.: This is the all-time favorite movie of all.
He wrote an all-times favorite novel last year.: He wrote an all-time favorite novel last year.
The team is an all-times favorite with the fans.: The team is an all-time favorite with the fans.
It is an all-times favorite toy for children.: It is an all-time favorite toy for children.
They picked an all-times favorite candidate.: They picked an all-time favorite candidate.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To verify if you have the right spelling, check if the word time is acting as part of a single description for a noun. If you can replace the phrase with a superlative like the best, keep the singular form because the time period is one continuous unit. Avoid adding an s to the end unless you are talking about multiple separate events.

Related Word Pairs

High-risk vs High risk: Use the hyphen when it modifies a noun directly.
Well-known vs Well known: Use the hyphen when describing a person or thing.
Real-time vs Real time: Use the hyphen when acting as an adjective before a noun.
Long-term vs Long term: Use the hyphen when the phrase modifies another word.
Good-looking vs Good looking: Use the hyphen when describing appearance as an adjective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is all-time favorite singular and not plural?

The phrase refers to a single continuous period of history acting as one unit. Since the time duration is treated as a singular concept, the modifier remains singular. Using the plural form incorrectly implies multiple separate time periods.

Can I use all-times favorite in informal writing?

No, even in casual notes or text messages, the singular form is preferred for accuracy. While typos happen, standardizing on the correct spelling ensures your writing looks professional and avoids confusion for readers who know the rules.

When should I drop the hyphen from all-time?

Drop the hyphen when time is part of a noun phrase rather than an adjective. For instance, you might say during all time to describe a duration, but you keep the hyphen when saying it is an all-time favorite to describe a specific item.

Is all-time favorite always correct or are there exceptions?

There are no exceptions for this specific phrase in standard English. You should always use the singular form when describing something as the best of all history. Any variation adding an s to time is considered an error in grammar.