favour
Americannoun
noun
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an approving attitude; good will
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an act performed out of good will, generosity, or mercy
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prejudice and partiality; favouritism
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a condition of being regarded with approval or good will (esp in the phrases in favour , out of favour )
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archaic leave; permission
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a token of love, goodwill, etc
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a small gift or toy given to a guest at a party
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history a badge or ribbon worn or given to indicate loyalty, often bestowed on a knight by a lady
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obsolete a communication, esp a business letter
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archaic appearance
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to be approved of by someone
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approving
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to the benefit of
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(of a cheque, etc) made out to
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in order to show preference for
I rejected him in favour of George
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verb
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to regard with especial kindness or approval
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to treat with partiality or favouritism
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to support; advocate
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to perform a favour for; oblige
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to help; facilitate
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informal to resemble
he favours his father
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to wear habitually
she favours red
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to treat gingerly or with tenderness; spare
a footballer favouring an injured leg
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.
The fight over Turk's second term, which was passed with 144 states in favour, 10 against and 13 abstentions, reflects tensions between Washington and the UN.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
"Still, the ECB's base case scenario will be a clear argument in favour of yet another rate hike."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
A senior EU official said Google "still" continued to favour its own services, but the second fine covered a period between March 2024 to December 2025.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
City of Edinburgh Council voted in favour of introducing the charge in January last year.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Tigers, indeed all animals, do not favour violence as a means of settling scores.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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.
