favor
Americannoun
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something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act.
to ask a favor.
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friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill.
to win the favor of the king.
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the state of being approved or held in regard.
to be in favor at court; styles that are now in favor.
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excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment.
to treat some people with favor and others with neglect.
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a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love, etc., as formerly upon a knight by his lady.
- Synonyms:
- present
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a ribbon, badge, etc., worn in evidence of goodwill or loyalty, as by an adherent of a political party.
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a small gift or decorative or festive item, as a noisemaker or paper hat, often distributed to guests at a party.
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Usually favors. sexual intimacy, especially as permitted by a woman.
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Archaic. a letter, especially a commercial one.
verb (used with object)
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to regard with favor.
to favor an enterprise.
- Synonyms:
- sanction, countenance, approve
- Antonyms:
- disapprove
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to prefer; treat with partiality.
The father favored his younger son.
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to show favor to; oblige.
The king favored him with an audience.
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to be favorable to; facilitate.
The wind favored their journey.
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to deal with, treat, or use gently.
to favor a lame leg.
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to aid or support.
He favored his party's cause with ample funds.
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to bear a physical resemblance to; resemble.
to favor one's father's side of the family.
idioms
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in one's favor, to one's credit or advantage.
All the comments were in your favor.
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in favor of,
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on the side of; in support of.
to be in favor of reduced taxation.
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to the advantage of.
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(of a check, draft, etc.) payable to.
Make out your checks in favor of the corporation.
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find favor with, to gain the favor of; be liked by.
The play found favor with the opening-night audience.
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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.
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- favorer noun
- overfavor verb (used with object)
- prefavor noun
- unfavoring adjective
Etymology
Origin of favor
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
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 recent survey from Oregon State University and the Schatz Energy Research Center found 37% of Humboldt residents in favor of offshore wind, 44% unsure and 19% opposed.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
In recent years, some genetic studies had begun to favor a more recent arrival, but this new analysis provides strong support for an earlier timeline.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026
Eleven states voted in favor, from Greece to Panama, while mediator Pakistan and leftist-led Colombia abstained.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
What’s more, the outlook for used EV prices might be going in buyers’ favor.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
The odds were always in favor of a scam.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
