favour

American  

[fey-ver] / ˈfeɪ vər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. favor.

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favour British  

/ ˈfeɪvə /

noun

1. an approving attitude; good will

2. an act performed out of good will, generosity, or mercy

3. prejudice and partiality; favouritism

4. a condition of being regarded with approval or good will (esp in the phrases in favour , out of favour )

5. archaic leave; permission

6. a token of love, goodwill, etc

7. a small gift or toy given to a guest at a party

8. history a badge or ribbon worn or given to indicate loyalty, often bestowed on a knight by a lady

9. obsolete a communication, esp a business letter

10. archaic appearance

11. to be approved of by someone

12. 1. approving

    2. to the benefit of

    3. (of a cheque, etc) made out to

    4. in order to show preference for

       I rejected him in favour of George

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verb

1. to regard with especial kindness or approval

2. to treat with partiality or favouritism

3. to support; advocate

4. to perform a favour for; oblige

5. to help; facilitate

6. informal to resemble

   he favours his father

7. to wear habitually

   she favours red

8. to treat gingerly or with tenderness; spare

   a footballer favouring an injured leg

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• favourer noun
• favouringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of favour

C14: from Latin, from favēre to protect

Example Sentences

On this street, 41 people were against a new sign, while 29 were in favour which amounted to 25% of those surveyed.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Sarwar added that he would reform the system so it is no longer "rigged" against hospitality to favour online giants.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"I am not in favour of an ambitious industrial project that will serve our armed forces being co-managed. We need a leader."

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

With the advantage now shifting to the attacker's favour, it could create a league with a blend of defensive styles as each team seeks a tactical edge.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In the early 1620s, as the Thirty Years War temporarily shifted in favour of the Catholic side, the political situation in Italy changed in ways that would affect Galileo dramatically.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin