favor

especially British, fa·vour

[fey-ver]

noun

1. something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act.

   to ask a favor.

2. friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill.

   to win the favor of the king.

   Antonyms: malice, animosity

3. the state of being approved or held in regard.

   to be in favor at court; styles that are now in favor.

4. excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment.

   to treat some people with favor and others with neglect.

5. a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love, etc., as formerly upon a knight by his lady.

   Synonyms: present

6. a ribbon, badge, etc., worn in evidence of goodwill or loyalty, as by an adherent of a political party.

7. a small gift or decorative or festive item, as a noisemaker or paper hat, often distributed to guests at a party.

8. Usually favors. sexual intimacy, especially as permitted by a woman.

9. Archaic.,  a letter, especially a commercial one.

verb (used with object)

1. to regard with favor.

   to favor an enterprise.

   Synonyms: sanction, countenance, approve
   Antonyms: disapprove

2. to prefer; treat with partiality.

   The father favored his younger son.

3. to show favor to; oblige.

   The king favored him with an audience.

   Synonyms: patronize, encourage

4. to be favorable to; facilitate.

   The wind favored their journey.

5. to deal with, treat, or use gently.

   to favor a lame leg.

6. to aid or support.

   He favored his party's cause with ample funds.

   Synonyms: assist, help

7. to bear a physical resemblance to; resemble.

   to favor one's father's side of the family.

Other Word Forms

• favorer noun
• overfavor verb (used with object)
• prefavor noun
• unfavoring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of favor¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English favo(u)r, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin favōr- (stem of favor ) “goodwill,” derivative of favēre “to be favorably inclined” + -ōr- -or ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in one's favor, to one's credit or advantage.

   All the comments were in your favor.

2. in favor of,

   1. on the side of; in support of.

      to be in favor of reduced taxation.

   2. to the advantage of.

   3. (of a check, draft, etc.) payable to.

      Make out your checks in favor of the corporation.

3. find favor with, to gain the favor of; be liked by.

   The play found favor with the opening-night audience.

4. out of favor, no longer liked or approved; no longer popular or fashionable.

   He's out of favor with the president and may soon be fired.

see curry favor; in favor of; in favor with; in one's favor; out of favor; return the compliment (favor).

Synonym Study

Favor, goodwill imply a kindly regard or friendly disposition shown by an individual or group. Favor may be merely an attitude of mind: to look with favor on a proposal. Goodwill is more active and leads often to outward manifestations of friendly approval: By frequent applause the audience showed its goodwill toward the speaker.

Example Sentences

Not for him were the depictions of the lives and leisure of the wealthy or the bourgeoisie favored by Renoir, Cassatt and Morisot.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But if the odds shift in favor of the Fed keeping rates unchanged, that could spark a further crypto selloff.

Read more on Barron's

We cannot rely on platforms to self-regulate when their core business model favors growth and engagement over transparency and safety.

Read more on Salon

But there are factors that favor counting more than four years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The New York Times’ crossword is synonymous with its current editor, Will Shortz, who gave the puzzle a refresh in the 1990s, jettisoning academic jargon and obscurities in favor of layered puns and pop-culture references.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• advocate 
• appreciate 
• approve 
• back 
• champion 
• choose 
• encourage 
• endorse 
• pick 
• praise 
• support