favour
Americannoun
noun
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an approving attitude; good will
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an act performed out of good will, generosity, or mercy
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prejudice and partiality; favouritism
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a condition of being regarded with approval or good will (esp in the phrases in favour , out of favour )
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archaic leave; permission
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a token of love, goodwill, etc
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a small gift or toy given to a guest at a party
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history a badge or ribbon worn or given to indicate loyalty, often bestowed on a knight by a lady
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obsolete a communication, esp a business letter
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archaic appearance
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to be approved of by someone
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approving
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to the benefit of
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(of a cheque, etc) made out to
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in order to show preference for
I rejected him in favour of George
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verb
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to regard with especial kindness or approval
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to treat with partiality or favouritism
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to support; advocate
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to perform a favour for; oblige
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to help; facilitate
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informal to resemble
he favours his father
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to wear habitually
she favours red
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to treat gingerly or with tenderness; spare
a footballer favouring an injured leg
Spelling
See -or 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of favour
C14: from Latin, from favēre to protect
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A consultation on the issue found 75% of parents and staff were in favour, although most pupils still wanted access to their devices during breaks.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
But they were unable to do so, while the head of Dassault Aviation continued to insist that the firm could go it alone on the project and was not in favour of it being "co-managed".
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
"He's come to do good, with all his love," she said of Leo's firm stance in favour of peace and migrants.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
Knowing conditions were in their favour and time on the field was short, England crowded the bat with as many as seven close catchers.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
He did not curry favour; rather, he was seeking a relationship with destiny: his music yearned to be the expression of humanity's deepest desires and anxieties.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
