Definition

1. Noun:

   • A kind or helpful act; an act of gracious kindness: An action that shows support, approval, or assistance.
   • Approval, support, or liking for someone or something: A positive regard or preference.
   • A state of being approved or held in regard: The condition of being popular or preferred.
   • Partiality; a bias towards someone: Unfairly preferential treatment.
   • A small gift or souvenir: A token given at a party or event.

2. Verb:

   • To regard or treat with kindness or approval: To show partiality or preferential treatment towards someone.
   • To give support or advantage to: To promote, facilitate, or make something easier.
   • To be advantageous to; to benefit: To work to the advantage of someone or something.
   • To resemble in features: (Informal) To look like a relative.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She did me a great favor by proofreading my essay.
  • The new policy found favor with the majority of voters.
  • The judge was accused of showing favor to the wealthy defendant.
  • Party guests each received a small favor.

• Verb:

  • The teacher seems to favor the students who participate actively.
  • The dark clouds favor our plan to sneak out unnoticed.
  • The tax cuts favor large corporations.
  • Everyone says he favors his grandfather.

Advanced Usage

• To curry favor (with someone): To try to gain approval or advantage through flattery or servile behavior.

  • He's always buying the boss coffee, trying to curry favor.

• In favor of:

  • Supporting or approving of.

    • I am in favor of stricter environmental laws.
  • To the advantage of; for the benefit of.

    • The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
  • (Formal) Inscribed as payable to.

    • Please make the check in favor of "ABC Company."

• Do (someone) a favor: Perform a helpful act for someone. Often used in the imperative as a rebuke.

  • Do yourself a favor and get more sleep.
  • Do me a favor and stop interrupting.

Variants and Related Words

• Favorable (adj): Expressing approval; advantageous; promising.
  • The reviews for the movie were very favorable.
• Favorite (adj/n): Preferred before all others of the same kind.
  • Chocolate is my favorite flavor.
• Disfavor (n/v): Disapproval or dislike.
  • The proposal fell into disfavor.

Synonyms

• Noun: kindness, service, goodwill, approval, support, preference, partiality, gift, token.
• Verb: prefer, support, back, promote, advantage, benefit, resemble.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Favor with: To honor or oblige someone by giving or granting something.
  • The singer favored the audience with an encore.

Related Idioms

• Find favor in someone's eyes: To gain someone's approval or goodwill.
  • The new design must find favor in the client's eyes.
• Without fear or favor: In a completely fair and impartial way.
  • The investigation must be conducted without fear or favor.

Noun

1. souvenir consisting of a small gift given to a guest at a party
2. a feeling of favorable regard
3. an inclination to approve
   • that style is in favor this season
4. an advantage to the benefit of someone or something
   • the outcome was in his favor
5. an act of gracious kindness

Verb

1. bestow a privilege upon
2. treat gently or carefully
3. consider as the favorite
   • The local team was favored
4. promote over another
   • he favors his second daughter