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Showing results for "favour"

favour

American  
[fey-ver] / ˈfeɪ vər /

noun

Chiefly British.
  1. favor.


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

    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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Spelling

See -or 1.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of favour

C14: from Latin, from favēre to protect

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.

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour put a symphony orchestra on stage alongside the actors in a savage satire which dramatised the plight of Soviet dissidents locked away in mental hospitals.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

In late 2022, when Favour was on holiday in Ghana for a family wedding, she received a call from her husband, who had stayed at home in Glasgow.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2024

In 2017, Favour - a church pastor - started to receive monthly bills which she did not pay as she was already topping up her prepayment meter.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2024

Favour Ben, 29, who owns a food business in the capital, Abuja, said she was was backing third-party candidate Peter Obi.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2023

Are you so long resolving whether you shall accept a Lady's Favour, or no?

From The Perjur'd Husband by Centlivre, Susanna

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