Definition

1. Noun:

   • An act of kind or helpful assistance: A kind or helpful act done for someone.
   • A small gift or token: A small, often inexpensive, gift given to a guest, typically at a party or wedding.
   • Approval, support, or liking: A state of being approved of, supported, or liked by someone.
   • An advantage or benefit: A condition that is to someone's benefit or gives them an advantage.
   • Partiality; preferential treatment: A bias or kindness shown towards one person or group over another.

2. Verb:

   • To prefer or like something more: To regard or treat something with preference or approval.
   • To give an advantage to: To provide conditions that benefit someone or something; to work to the advantage of.
   • To support or approve of: To be in agreement with or supportive of a plan, idea, or person.
   • To resemble in features: (Archaic or formal) To look like, especially in facial features.
   • To handle gently or carefully: To treat with care to avoid causing harm or damage.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He did me a great favour by fixing my computer. (An act of kindness)
  • The wedding favours were little bags of chocolate. (A small gift)
  • The new policy found favour with the public. (Approval)
  • The referee's decision was in our favour. (An advantage)
  • She showed favour to her youngest child. (Partiality)

• Verb:

  • I favour the first proposal. (To prefer)
  • The tax laws favour large corporations. (To give an advantage to)
  • Do you favour the new regulations? (To support)
  • The child favours his mother. (To resemble)
  • Please favour that leg while it heals. (To treat gently)

Advanced Usage

• "To curry favour": To try to gain approval or favour from someone through flattery or servile behaviour.

  • He's always buying the boss coffee to curry favour.

• "To find favour in someone's eyes": To gain someone's approval or liking.

  • Her honest approach found favour in the manager's eyes.

• "By favour of...": (Formal, dated) A phrase used on envelopes to indicate delivery via a third party.

  • The letter was sent by favour of Mr. Smith.

Variants and Related Words

• Favourable (adj): Expressing approval; positive; advantageous.

  • The reviews were very favourable.

• Favourite (adj/n): Preferred above all others.

  • What is your favourite colour?

• Disfavour (n): Disapproval or dislike.

  • The plan fell into disfavour.

Synonyms

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

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Favour with: (Formal) To kindly or obligingly give or grant something.

  • Would you favour me with an answer?

• In favour of:

  • Supporting or approving.

    • I am in favour of the idea.
  • To the advantage of; for the benefit of.

    • The court ruled in favour of the plaintiff.
  • (Of a cheque) Made payable to.

    • A cheque in favour of the charity.

Related Idioms

• Do me a favour: Used to make a polite request, or (informally) to express disbelief or annoyance.

  • Polite: Could you do me a favour and pass the salt?
  • Informal: "He said he'd finished the work." "Oh, do me a favour! He hasn't even started."

• Return the favour: To do something kind for someone who has done something kind for you.

  • You helped me move, so I'm happy to return the favour.

Noun

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

Verb

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