favor

American  

[fey-ver] / ˈfeɪ vər /

especially British, favour

noun

• favors
  plural

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.

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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.

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.

favor More Idioms  

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

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Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• favors
  plural

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

Explanation

A favor is an act of kindness, like doing your friend a favor by letting her borrow your calculator to take the big math test. Favor can be used as a noun: an advantage, like having experience in your favor when you apply for a job; a nice gesture, like giving your friend a ride to school; or a party favor, a little gift you get at a party. As a verb, favor means "like the most," like foods you favor, or "treat gently," like favoring your right leg when walking because it hurts to put weight on it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

favor favors

It advocated for greater freedoms and rule of law even as those notions fell increasingly out of favor with a populace willing to embrace a strongman ruler to end the post-Soviet economic malaise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

Writer-director Jacob Chase, who previously made the 2020 horror film “Come Play,” downplays gore in favor of jump scares and mildly diverting set pieces.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

There’s a compelling argument regardless that even when these phrases fall out of favor, the trend of men paying more attention to themselves will remain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Provinces could still favor Canadian suppliers, but cannot have direct language that precludes a US supplier from a project.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

"I expect you might be willing to do me a favor and eat a cookie or two," she said to Sam.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry

But that offered few favors for Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story” or Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” where the Bowl has regularly hosted far more idiomatic, swinging performances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

But since the rings select their bearers by asking whether they’re afraid during an ambush designed to create dread, the test favors those for whom life never presents anything to fear.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

Miller’s district favors the GOP, yet recent polls show him trailing his Democratic opponent, a city councilor and ironworker named Brian Poindexter.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

Counterpoint expects the trend toward pricier devices to continue as the industry favors profit over shipment volume.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Arlo favors my dad, with his dark complexion and impressive height.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

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