fa·vor
(fā́vər)
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from favēre, to be favorable.]
noun
- A gracious, friendly, or obliging act that is freely granted: do someone a favor.
- Friendly or favorable regard; approval or support: won the favor of the monarch; looked with favor on the plan.
- A state of being held in such regard: a style currently in favor.
- Unfair partiality; favoritism.
- A privilege or concession.
- favors. Sexual privileges, especially as granted by a woman.
- Something given as a token of love, affection, or remembrance.
- A small decorative gift given to each guest at a party.
- Advantage; benefit: sailed under favor of cloudless skies.
- Behalf; interest: an error in our favor.
- Obsolete A communication, especially a letter.
- Archaic
- Aspect or appearance.
- Countenance; face.
- Obsolete A facial feature.
verb: -vored, -vor·ing, -vors.
transitive verb
- To perform a kindness or service for; oblige. See synonyms at oblige
- To treat or regard with friendship, approval, or support.
- To be partial to; indulge a liking for: favors bright colors.
- To be or tend to be in support of.
- To make easier or more possible; facilitate: Darkness favored their escape.
- To treat with care; be gentle with: favored my wounded leg.
- Chiefly Southern U.S. To resemble in appearance: She favors her father.
intransitive verb
Chiefly Southern U.S.
- To resemble another in appearance: She and her father favor.
idioms
- in favor of
- In support of; approving: We are in favor of her promotion to president. To the advantage of: The court decided in favor of the plaintiff. Inscribed or made out to the benefit of: a check in favor of a charity.
derivatives
- fávor·er
- noun
- fávor·ing·ly
- adverb
