favor

1 of 2

noun

fa·​vor ˈfā-vər 

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

a

: appearance

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 

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

ˈfā-vər-ər 

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.

Synonyms

Noun

• benevolence
• boon
• courtesy
• grace
• indulgence
• kindness
• mercy
• service
• turn

Verb

• accommodate
• oblige

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

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

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

Phrases Containing favor

• all in favor
• come down in favor of
• come into favor
• come out in favor of
• curry favor
• decide in favor of/for
• do a favor for (someone)
• Do me a favor
• do oneself a favor
• do (someone) a favor
• fall from favor
• find approval/favor
• in favor
• in someone's favor
• look with favor on
• lose favor
• odds are in (someone's) favor
• party favor
• political favor
• return the favor
• stack the odds in favor of (someone)
• stack the odds in someone's favor
• the odds are in favor of (something)
• work in someone's favor

Kids Definition

favor

1 of 2 noun

fa·​vor ˈfā-vər 

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 

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

: prefer sense 1

3

: to make possible or easy : help to succeed

darkness favored the attack

4

: to look like : resemble

favors his mother

favorer

ˈfā-vər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

favor

noun

fa·​vor

1

: bias

2

: benefit