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noun fa·vor \ˈfā-vər\

Simple Definition of favor

  • : a kind or helpful act that you do for someone

  • : approval, support, or popularity

  • : preference for one person, group, etc., over another

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of favor

  1. 1 a (1) :  friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior (2) :  approving consideration or attention :  approbation b :  partiality c archaic :  leniency d archaic :  permission e :  popularity

  2. 2 archaic a :  appearance b (1) :  face (2) :  a facial feature

  3. 3 a :  gracious kindness; also :  an act of such kindness <did you a favor> b archaic :  aid, assistance c plural :  effort in one's behalf or interest :  attention

  4. 4 a :  a token of love (as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously b :  a small gift or decorative item given out at a party c :  badge

  5. 5 a :  a special privilege or right granted or conceded b :  sexual privileges —usually used in plural

  6. 6 archaic :  letter

  7. 7 :  behalf, interest

in favor of
  1. 1 a :  in accord or sympathy with b :  to the benefit of :  in support of <a verdict in favor of the accused>

  2. 2 :  to the order of

  3. 3 :  in order to choose :  out of preference for <turned down the scholarship in favor of a pro career>

in one's favor
  1. 1 :  in one's good graces

  2. 2 :  to one's advantage

out of favor

Examples of favor in a sentence

  1. I drove her to the airport because I owed her a favor.

  2. She's willing to help you but only as a favor to me.

  3. Don't do me any favors. I don't need your help.

  4. I've learned to be grateful for small favors.

  5. He's trying to earn the boss's favor by working late.

  6. The judge showed favor for the defendant.

  7. The students naturally showed favor toward their own school's team.

  8. Small boxes of candy were given out as favors at the wedding.

Origin of favor

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: 14th century



verb, fa·vor

Simple Definition of favor

  • : to prefer (someone) especially in an unfair way : to show that you like or approve of (someone) more than others

  • : to approve of or support (something)

  • : to regard (someone or something) as most likely to succeed or win

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of favor

favoredfavoring play \ˈfā-v(ə-)riŋ\

  1. transitive verb
  2. 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>

  3. 2 :  to show partiality toward :  prefer

  4. 3 a :  to give support or confirmation to :  sustain b :  to afford advantages for success to :  facilitate <good weather favored the outing>

  5. 4 :  to bear a resemblance to <he favors his father>

favorer play \ˈfā-vər-ər\ noun

Examples of favor in a sentence

  1. The teacher clearly favors you.

  2. Most voters favor these tax cuts.

  3. Her father favored the idea of her going to law school.

  4. They won the championship last year, and most forecasters favor them to win again this year.

14th Century

First Known Use of favor

14th century

FAVOR Defined for Kids



noun fa·vor \ˈfā-vər\

Definition of favor for Students

  1. 1 :  an act of kindness <Do me a favor.>

  2. 2 :  approval 1, liking <They look with favor on protecting wildlife.>

  3. 3 :  a preference for one side over another <The umpire showed favor toward the champs.>

  4. 4 :  a small gift or decorative item <party favors>

in favor of
  1. 1 :  wanting or approving of <All in favor of going say aye.>

  2. 2 :  in support of <The judge ruled in favor of the defendant.>



verb fa·vor

Definition of favor for Students


  1. 1 :  to prefer especially unfairly <My mom always favors my little brother.>

  2. 2 :  to approve of <The president favors a bill to cut taxes.>

  3. 3 :  to present with <The author favored us with a copy of her book.>

  4. 4 :  to make possible or easier <Winds favored the ship's journey east.>

  5. 5 :  to look like <He favors his mother.>

Law Dictionary


noun fa·vor

Legal Definition of favor

  1. 1 :  bias

  2. 2 :  benefit

in favor of
  1. :  to the benefit of <a judgment in favor of the defendant>

in one's favor
  1. :  to one's benefit <a donation inter vivos made in his favor>

Seen and Heard

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tending to dismiss important matters

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