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

"We are in favour of this new initiative as long as the legalisation of immigrants translates into them getting long-term contracts to work in the countryside," he says.

From BBC

In a separate move, the Swiss also voted in favour of having the availability of cash enshrined in the constitution.

From BBC

Several reasons seem to have contributed to this jump - the types of players recruited, the role of set-piece analysts and the less strict officiating - meaning corners have skewed in the favour of attacking sides.

From BBC

The couple's favoured method is the Estonian hold.

From BBC

Labour peer Lord Roe said he would like to see the UK government taking a firm view on the proposals, and steering parliamentarians towards a favoured option.

From BBC