favor

[ fey-ver ]

noun

1. something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act:

   to ask a favor.

2. friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill:

   to win the favor of the king.

   Antonyms: malice, animosity

3. the state of being approved or held in regard:

   to be in favor at court; styles that are now in favor.

4. excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment:

   to treat some people with favor and others with neglect.

5. a gift bestowed as a token of goodwill, kind regard, love, etc., as formerly upon a knight by his lady.

   Synonyms: present

6. a ribbon, badge, etc., worn in evidence of goodwill or loyalty, as by an adherent of a political party.
7. a small gift or decorative or festive item, as a noisemaker or paper hat, often distributed to guests at a party.
8. Usually favors. sexual intimacy, especially as permitted by a woman.
9. Archaic. a letter, especially a commercial one.

verb (used with object)

1. to regard with favor:

   to favor an enterprise.

   Synonyms: sanction, countenance, approve

   Antonyms: disapprove

2. to prefer; treat with partiality:

   The father favored his younger son.

3. to show favor to; oblige:

   The king favored him with an audience.

   Synonyms: patronize, encourage

4. to be favorable to; facilitate:

   The wind favored their journey.

5. to deal with, treat, or use gently:

   to favor a lame leg.

6. to aid or support:

   He favored his party's cause with ample funds.

   Synonyms: assist, help

7. to bear a physical resemblance to; resemble:

   to favor one's father's side of the family.

Other Words From

• favor·er noun
• over·favor verb (used with object)
• pre·favor noun verb (used with object)
• un·favor·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of favor¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English favo(u)r, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin favōr- (stem of favor ) “goodwill,” derivative of favēre “to be favorably inclined” + -ōr- -or ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. find favor with, to gain the favor of; be liked by:

   The play found favor with the opening-night audience.

2. in favor of,
   1. on the side of; in support of:

      to be in favor of reduced taxation.

   2. to the advantage of.
   3. (of a check, draft, etc.) payable to:

      Make out your checks in favor of the corporation.

3. in one's favor, to one's credit or advantage:

   All the comments were in your favor.

4. out of favor, no longer liked or approved; no longer popular or fashionable:

   He's out of favor with the president and may soon be fired.

More idioms and phrases containing favor

see curry favor ; in favor of ; in favor with ; in one's favor ; out of favor ; return the compliment (favor) .

Synonym Study

Favor, goodwill imply a kindly regard or friendly disposition shown by an individual or group. Favor may be merely an attitude of mind: to look with favor on a proposal. Goodwill is more active and leads often to outward manifestations of friendly approval: By frequent applause the audience showed its goodwill toward the speaker.

Example Sentences

Far worse will be the long-lasting erosion of the integrity of the department, whose fidelity to the principle of justice without fear or favor is a cornerstone of American democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, in Florida since the state’s Amendment 4 didn’t pass, despite 57 percent of voters in favor of it.

From Salon

Njoku said the next step for abortion funds in the wake of the Amendment 4 results is to gain more support for the next time a similar vote comes up, and that requires a deeper understanding of why some voters cast ballots for Trump as president and in favor of Amendment 4.

From Salon

And if basic research is stripped down, streamlined, or tossed entirely in favor of “efficiency”? It will not just be scientists who will suffer—it will be all of us.

From Slate

Cronin and his staff doggedly pursued Nikolas Khamenia, a star forward from Harvard-Westlake, as part of an intense recruiting battle that ultimately went in Duke’s favor when Khamenia announced last month that he would become a Blue Devil.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid
• assistance
• backing
• benefit
• consideration
• gift
• respect
• service
• support