What does "favor" mean?
A kind or helpful deed; an instance of voluntarily assisting (someone).
Favor
/ˈfeɪ.və/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A kind or helpful deed; an instance of voluntarily assisting (someone).
- Grammar: favor is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: help, abet, abet, abetment.
- Useful contrasts: balanced property set, balance, blackballs.
- Usage evidence: Are you in favor of the workers getting more money?
How to use "favor"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "favor" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "favor" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "favor" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "favor" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "favor" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "help" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "favor", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A kind or helpful deed; an instance of voluntarily assisting (someone). countable, uncountable
"He did me a favor when he took the time to drive me home."
- 2 an act of gracious kindness wordnet
- 3 Goodwill; benevolent regard. countable, uncountable
"She enjoyed the queen's favor."
- 4 souvenir consisting of a small gift given to a guest at a party wordnet
- 5 A small gift; a party favor. countable, uncountable
"wedding favor"
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 an advantage to the benefit of someone or something wordnet
- 7 Mildness or mitigation of punishment; lenity. countable, uncountable
"I could not discover the lenity and favour of this sentence."
- 8 an inclination to approve wordnet
- 9 The object of regard; person or thing favoured. countable, uncountable
"All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, / His chief delight and favour."
- 10 a feeling of favorable regard wordnet
- 11 Appearance; look; countenance; face. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"This boy is fair, of female favour."
- 12 Partiality; bias countable, uncountable
- 13 A letter, a written communication. archaic, countable, uncountable
"I will now take some notice of your last favour; but being so far behind-hand with you, must be brief."
- 14 A resemblance, likeness. Northern-England, archaic, countable, uncountable
- 15 Anything worn publicly as a pledge of a woman's favor. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"James probably saw the family treasures, which included a little pair of gloves embroidered with pearls and the device of a lion, a lady's favour, said to have been taken from Harry Hotspur before the battle of Otterburn in 1388."
- 16 A ribbon or similar small item that is worn as an adornment, especially in celebration of an event. countable, historical, uncountable
"The bride favors, or true love knots, ancient symbols of love, faith, and friendship, pointing out the indisssoluble tie of affection and duty, did not, as might be supposed, take their name of true love knots from the words "true" and "love,", but from the Danish verb "Trulofa," that is, "I plight my troth of faith." These knots were formerly distributed in great abundance; were worn in the hats by gentlemen, and consisted of variously colored ribbons, which were chosen by the bride and her maids, sometimes after long and serious discussions."
Verb
- 1 To look upon fondly; to prefer.
"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
- 2 consider as the favorite wordnet
- 3 To use more often.
"[…] alone, without having to favor his right, uninjured leg, […]"
- 4 promote over another wordnet
- 5 To encourage, conduce to
"These [boys being groomed as prostitutes] are sold by their parents (sometimes stolen from them), about the age of 4, and educated, while they are also subjected to a special physical training, which includes massage of the gluteal regions to favor development, dilatation of the anus, and epilation (which is not, however, practised by Chinese women)."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 bestow a privilege upon wordnet
- 7 To do a favor [noun sense 1] for; to show beneficence toward.
"Would you favor us with a poetry reading?"
- 8 treat gently or carefully wordnet
- 9 To resemble; especially, to look like (another person).
"I thought—it doesn't matter—you seemed to favour your ma,"
- 10 To treat or use (something) gently
"I always try to favor my bad knee."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"Are you in favor of the workers getting more money?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "favor"?
Common synonyms include: help, abet, abet, abetment, accept, acceptance.
How do you use "favor" in a sentence?
Are you in favor of the workers getting more money?
How do you pronounce "favor"?
Pronounced /ˈfeɪ.və/.
Etymology
From Middle English favour, favor, faver, from Anglo-Norman favour, from mainland Old French favor, from Latin favor (“good will; kindness; partiality”), from faveō (“to be kind to”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂weh₁yeti (“to be favourable to”), from the root Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (“to shine, glow light”). Respelled in American English to more closely match its Latin etymon. Compare also Danish favør (“favor”), Irish fabhar (“favor”), from the same Romance source.