Favour
/ˈfeɪvər/
Definitions
3 meaningsAn act of kindness, help, or preferential treatment shown to someone.
/ˈfeɪvər/
An act of kindness or goodwill
She asked for a favour from her neighbor.
💡 Simply: A 'favour' is like when someone does something nice for you, like helping you out or giving you special treatment. Imagine your friend helping you carry all your toys – that's a favour!
👶 For kids: A favour is when someone does something nice for you.
More Examples
Could you do me a favour and watch my dog while I'm away?
He returned the favour by helping her with her garden.
How It's Used
"He did me a great favour by helping me move house."
"Could you do me a favour and pass the salt?"
To regard with approval; to support or give an advantage to someone or something.
/ˈfeɪvər/
To support or prefer someone or something
The new regulations favour large corporations.
💡 Simply: To 'favour' is to like or support something or someone more than others. Imagine your mom saying she favors ice cream over cake – that's what it means!
👶 For kids: To favour is to like something or someone best.
More Examples
She always favoured her youngest child.
The teacher favours students who participate in class.
How It's Used
"The government favours policies that support small businesses."
"The judge favoured the plaintiff's argument."
Approval; liking.
/ˈfeɪvər/
Approval or liking of something
Her project gained favour among the judges.
💡 Simply: To have 'favour' for something is to like it, or for it to be popular. Imagine a new toy that gets lots of favour (or approval) from everyone - it's the latest craze!
👶 For kids: When something has favour, it means people like it!
More Examples
The new design is in favour with the public.
His ideas are in favour with the board of directors.
How It's Used
"The proposal found favour with the committee."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
in favour of
Supporting or preferring something.
"The committee voted in favour of the proposal."
to do someone a favour
To perform an act of kindness for someone; to help someone.
"Could you do me a favour and pick up my dry cleaning?"
find favour with
To be approved by someone; to be liked.
"The project finally found favour with the investors."
From Old French *faveur*, from Latin *favor* ('goodwill, partiality').
Used since the 13th century, originating from Old French. Initially, it was spelled 'favour' in British English and 'favor' in American English, but both spellings are acceptable in most contexts.
Memory tip
Think of a kind gesture or a helpful act as a favour.