favor

1 of 2

noun

fa·​vor ˈfā-vər How to pronounce favor (audio)
1
a(1)
: friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior
a politician attempting to keep the favor of the voters
(2)
: approving consideration or attention : approbation
looked with favor on the enterprise
b
: partiality
The students naturally showed favor toward their own team.
c
archaic : leniency
d
archaic : permission
e
: popularity
The fad lost favor quickly.
2
archaic
b(1)
: face
(2)
: a facial feature
3
a
: gracious kindness
also : an act of such kindness
did you a favor
b
archaic : aid, assistance
c
favors plural : effort in one's behalf or interest : attention
vying for the king's favor
4
a
: a token of love (such as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously
b
: a small gift or decorative item given out at a party
c
: badge
5
a
: a special privilege or right granted or conceded
granted a favor to a dear friend
b
: sexual privileges
usually used in plural
6
archaic : letter
7
: behalf, interest
a man who acts only in his own favor

favor

2 of 2

verb

favored; favoring ˈfā-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce favor (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to regard or treat with favor
b(1)
: to do a kindness for : oblige
(2)
: endow
c
: to treat gently or carefully
favored her injured leg
2
: to show partiality toward : prefer
3
a
: to give support or confirmation to : sustain
b
: to afford advantages for success to : facilitate
good weather favored the outing
4
: to bear a resemblance to
he favors his father
favorer noun
Phrases
in favor of
1
a
: in accord or sympathy with
b
: to the benefit of : in support of
a verdict in favor of the accused
2
: to the order of
3
: in order to choose : out of preference for
turned down the scholarship in favor of a pro career
in one's favor
1
: in one's good graces
wanted to get back in the teacher's favor
2
: to one's advantage
The judge ruled in our favor.
out of favor
: unpopular, disliked
Her ideas are now out of favor.

Examples of favor in a Sentence

Noun I drove her to the airport because I owed her a favor. She's willing to help you but only as a favor to me. Don't do me any favors. I don't need your help. I've learned to be grateful for small favors. He's trying to earn the boss's favor by working late. The judge showed favor for the defendant. The students naturally showed favor toward their own school's team. Small boxes of candy were given out as favors at the wedding. Verb The teacher clearly favors you. Most voters favor these tax cuts. Her father favored the idea of her going to law school. They won the championship last year, and most forecasters favor them to win again this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
At the top of these bigger strategic considerations is a need to retain the favor of major international partners such as India and China. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 Valya knows of the plan, too, and seeks to win back Corrino’s favor by thwarting it, but Desmond takes control of the situation first and makes his presence felt. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
Secondly, the upstream supply chain for EV manufacturing strongly favors China. Steve Banker, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Widespread frustration over organized crime throughout the hemisphere, as well as social changes such as the spread of evangelical Christianity, mean that right-wing leaders may be favored to win upcoming elections in Chile in 2025 and Brazil and Colombia in 2026. Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for favor 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin, from favēre to be favorable; perhaps akin to Old High German gouma attention, Old Church Slavic gověti to revere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of favor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near favor

Cite this Entry

“Favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favor. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

favor

1 of 2 noun
fa·​vor ˈfā-vər How to pronounce favor (audio)
1
a
: friendly regard shown toward another
enjoyed the favor of the king
b
: approval
look with favor on a project
c
: partiality sense 1, preference
the judge showed favor to one side
d
: the quality or state of being popular
lose favor
2
: an act of kindness
do a friend a favor
3
: a small gift given out at a party

favor

2 of 2 verb
favored; favoring ˈfāv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce favor (audio)
1
a
: to look upon or treat with favor
b
: to do a kindness for : oblige
c
: to treat gently or carefully : spare
favor a sore leg
2
3
: to make possible or easy : help to succeed
darkness favored the attack
4
: to look like : resemble
favors his mother
favorer noun

Legal Definition

favor

noun
fa·​vor
1
: bias
2

More from Merriam-Webster on favor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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