favor/favour
favor/favour
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "favor" (American English) and "favour" (British English) is /ˈfeɪ.vər/.
fa: /ˈfeɪ/
vor/vour: /vər/
Word Form Variations
Noun: favor/favour (singular), favors/favours (plural)
Verb: favor/favour (base form), favors/favours (third person singular present), favored/favoured (past tense, past participle), favoring/favouring (present participle)
Adjective: favorable/favourable, favored/favoured, favoritism/favouritism (as in a "favoritism charge")
Adverb: favorably/favourably
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Favor / Favour
An act of kindness beyond what is due or usual; a special privilege or gift. 🙏
Synonyms: kindness, good turn, service, boon, courtesy, benefit
Antonyms: disfavor, detriment, harm, injury, unkindness
Approval, support, or liking for someone or something.
Synonyms: approval, backing, support, preference, partiality, goodwill
Antonyms: disapproval, opposition, dislike, disfavor, prejudice
Something given as a token of affection or remembrance (often a small gift).
Synonyms: token, memento, souvenir, keepsake, gift
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms for this sense)
Partiality or bias in treatment.
Synonyms: bias, prejudice, partiality, preference, discrimination
Antonyms: impartiality, fairness, objectivity, equity
Verb
Favor / Favour
To support or prefer (someone or something) over another.
Synonyms: prefer, support, back, champion, endorse, promote
Antonyms: oppose, disapprove, dislike, hinder, disadvantage
To treat with special kindness or partiality.
Synonyms: indulge, pamper, oblige, privilege, prefer
Antonyms: neglect, disadvantage, discriminate against
To resemble (a parent or other relative) in appearance.
Synonyms: resemble, look like, take after
Antonyms: differ from
Adjective
Favorable / Favourable
Indicating approval or good prospects; positive.
Synonyms: auspicious, propitious, promising, encouraging, positive
Antonyms: unfavorable, adverse, negative, discouraging, bleak
Granting or showing favor; advantageous.
Synonyms: advantageous, beneficial, opportune, convenient, suitable
Antonyms: disadvantageous, harmful, inconvenient, unsuitable
Favored / Favoured
Treated with special preference or kindness.
Synonyms: preferred, privileged, cherished, chosen, pet
Antonyms: unfavored, disliked, neglected, underprivileged
Adverb
Favorably / Favourably
In a way that indicates approval or good prospects.
Synonyms: positively, advantageously, auspiciously, beneficently
Antonyms: unfavorably, adversely, negatively, disadvantageously
Examples of Use
Books
Fiction: Characters might ask for a "favor" or show "favor" towards certain individuals. "She asked her friend for a small favor." A king might show "favor" to a loyal knight.
Non-fiction (Self-help/Business): Books on networking often discuss "the art of asking for a favor" or how to "build relationships by doing favors" (Simon & Schuster, March 2023). A historical text might analyze how a ruler "played favorites" among their subjects.
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists report on politicians showing "favor" to donors or industries. "Critics argue the new policy unduly favors large corporations" (The New York Times, June 2025). Sports reports might note which team the odds "favor" to win.
Editorials/Opinion Pieces: Columnists might argue for policies that "favor a certain demographic" or against decisions that show undue "favoritism."
Obituaries: Sometimes note that someone "died in the favor of God.
Online Publications
E-commerce/Reviews: Customers might leave reviews stating they "favor one brand over another" or that a product has "favorable reviews." "This model consistently receives favorable ratings" (TechRadar, April 2024).
Blogs: Food blogs might discuss which spices "favor certain dishes." Travel blogs might highlight "favorable exchange rates" in certain countries.
Social Media: Users might "like" or share content to show they "favor" a particular idea or creator. People often ask friends for a "favor" in their posts.
Financial Sites: Reports often discuss "favorable market conditions" for investors.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Characters frequently ask for or grant "favors." A crime boss might say, "I'm going to ask you for a favor." Weather forecasts might predict "favorable winds" for sailing.
Reality TV: Judges in competition shows might admit they "favor a certain contestant's style."
Video Games: Non-player characters (NPCs) might ask players to complete quests as a "favor," or an item might have a "favorable enchantment."
Music: Song lyrics can express a desire for someone's "favor" or describe how fate "favored" them. "Fortune smiled, and favored us that day."
Podcasts: Hosts discussing historical events might analyze how certain leaders managed to gain "favor" with the public.
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly ask, "Could you do me a favor?" or say, "I don't really favor that idea." "The weather looks favorable for a picnic."
Workplace: Colleagues might discuss which presentation style the boss seems to "favor," or ask a team member for a small "favor" to help with a task.
Politics: Discussions often revolve around which policies "favor certain groups" or accusations of "favoritism."
Greetings: The archaic phrase "Farewell and may fortune favor you" is still understood.
10 Quotes Using Favor/Favour
"Fortune favors the bold." (Virgil)
"I ask no favours for my sex. I only ask that they may be treated as all other rational creatures are." (Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman)
"Fortune favors the prepared mind." (Louis Pasteur)
"It is a principle of human nature to hate those whom you have injured, and to love those who have done you a favor." (Tacitus)
"The winds of change rarely favor the complacent."
"Sometimes, a small favor can change a life's direction entirely."
"True friendships are not built on favors, but on mutual respect."
"History often seems to favor the victors, not necessarily the righteous."
"To give a great gift is to earn a lasting favor."
"Please do me the favor of considering my request thoughtfully."
Etymology
The word "favor" (and its British spelling "favour") comes from the Latin word "favor," which means "goodwill," "liking," or "support." This Latin word is related to "favere," meaning "to be well-disposed towards."
The first known use of "favor" in English, with the meaning of "kindness, help, or approval," dates back to the late 14th century. It appeared in texts to describe an act of support or a special privilege given to someone out of goodwill, directly reflecting its Latin origin.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Favor/Favour
Do me a favor/favour: A polite request for assistance. "Could you do me a favor and pick up my mail?"
Curry favor/favour: To try to gain goodwill or approval through flattery or excessive politeness. "He's always trying to curry favor with the boss."
In one's favor/favour: To one's advantage or benefit. "The decision went in her favor."
Out of favor/favour: No longer liked, supported, or popular. "That old style of music has fallen out of favor."
Find favor/favour (with): To be liked, approved of, or well-received by someone. "Her proposal found favor with the committee."
With a favor/favour: Referring to partiality or bias. "The judge ruled with a favor towards the local team."
Last favor/favour: The final act of kindness, often implying a dying request. "He asked for one last favor before he passed."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of favor/favour from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
