favour

[fey-ver]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. favor.

favour

/ 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

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 Note

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• favourer noun
• favouringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of favour¹

C14: from Latin, from favēre to protect

Example Sentences

Saying the bloc harmed Spanish interests in favour of France and Germany, he promised a referendum on membership if the EU did not "respect" Spain.

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Astronomers are now eager to hunt for more sub-Earth exoplanets to further study how these planets form and how likely they are to favour habitable conditions.

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"We shouldn't be naive. We know full well the ruling system has ample means at its disposal to get results in its favour," Cameroonian political scientist Stephane Akoa told AFP.

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Given this is the favoured season, frequent storms like this have "hampered our trekking and mountaineering business," he added.

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She removed both set batters Perera and Harshitha to swing momentum back in England's favour, though the roar from the Sri Lankan crowd when Athapaththu emerged from the dugout emphasised her importance to the side.

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