1
favor
(US)
noun
or British
favour
/ˈfeɪvɚ/
plural
favors
or British
favour
/ˈfeɪvɚ/
plural
favors
Britannica Dictionary definition of FAVOR
1
[count]
:
a kind or helpful act that you do for someone
-
do/grant a friend a favor = do a favor for a friend = grant a favor to a friend
-
Can I ask you (for) a favor?
-
I drove her to the airport because I owed her a favor.
-
She's willing to help you but only as a favor to me.
-
I'm here as a (special) favor to my sister.
-
Don't do me any favors. I don't need your help.
-
I've learned to be grateful for small favors.
-
He treats them well, and they return the favor. [=they also treat him well]
-
Do me a favor [=do what I want you to do; do what you should do] and get home on time for once.
-
You can do yourself a favor [=you can make things easier for yourself] by arriving early at the airport.
-
The company made campaign donations in exchange/return for political favors. [=political acts/decisions that helped the company]
-
He was arrested for soliciting sexual favors [=sex acts done in exchange for something, such as money] from a prostitute.
2
[noncount]
a
:
approval, support, or popularity
-
Her ideas have found/gained favor with many young people. [=many young people like/support her ideas]
-
He's trying to earn the boss's favor by working late.
-
Her theories have lost favor. = Her theories have fallen from favor. = Her theories are no longer in favor. = Her theories are now out of favor. [=they are no longer popular]
-
a style that has come into favor [=become popular]
-
The committee looks with favor on the project. [=the committee regards the project favorably; the committee likes and approves of the project]
b
:
preference for one person, group, etc., over another
3
[count]
US
:
a small gift given to the people who come to a party
:
party favor
court someone's favor
or
court favor with someone
—
see 2court
in favor of
1
:
wanting or approving of (something)
-
All in favor of (having) a party [=everyone who wants to have a party], raise your hands.
-
Not surprisingly, most voters are in favor of the tax cuts.
-
a politician who is in favor of the death penalty
2
:
in a way that tries to persuade people to support (something)
3
:
choosing (something) instead of something else
:
preferring (something)
4
:
in support of (someone)
:
in a way that helps or benefits (someone)
in someone's favor
1
:
in support of (someone)
:
in a way that helps or benefits (someone)
2
:
in a state of being liked or approved of by (someone)
odds are in favor
◊ If the odds are in your favor, you are likely to win or succeed.
◊ If the odds are in favor of something, that thing is likely to happen.
2
favor
(US)
verb
or British
favour
/ˈfeɪvɚ/
favors;
favored;
favoring
or British
favour
/ˈfeɪvɚ/
favors;
favored;
favoring
Britannica Dictionary definition of FAVOR
[+ object]
1
a
:
to prefer (someone) especially in an unfair way
:
to show that you like or approve of (someone) more than others
b
:
to approve of or support (something)
c
:
to regard (someone or something) as most likely to succeed or win
2
formal
:
to give something to (someone)
:
to present (someone) with something
-
The author favored us with a copy [=gave us a copy] of his latest book.
-
She will now favor us with a song. [=she will now sing or play a song for us]
-
He did not favor us with a reply. [=he did not reply to us]
3
:
to treat (an injured leg, foot, etc.) gently or carefully
4
formal
:
to make (something) possible or easy
:
to help (something) to succeed
5
:
to look like (a parent or other relative)