favor
gb/fˈeɪvɚ/ us/fˈeɪvɚ/
A2
English
~ 5500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
action
1
a kind or helpful act
Something kind or helpful that you do for someone, usually because they ask you.
Usage pattern:
to do [someone] a favor; to ask (someone) for a favor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make me a favor"* instead of *"do me a favor"*. The correct verb is almost always **do**. Also, we usually say *"ask (someone) for a favor"*, not *"ask a favor to (someone)"*.
Synonyms
kindness (More general and focuses on the quality of being kind, not on a single act requested.)
|
good deed (Stresses the moral goodness of the act, sometimes more formal or moralistic.)
Antonyms
disservice (An action that harms or disadvantages someone instead of helping them.)
|
harm (A general word for causing damage or pain, the opposite of a helpful act.)
Collocations
do a favor
|ask a favor
|return the favor
|big favor
|small favor
|owe you a favor
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|social
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Could you do me a favor and pick up some milk on your way home?
- I’m calling to ask a small favor: can you water my plants while I’m away?
- Thanks for the ride— I really appreciate the favor.
- She never forgets a favor and always tries to return it.
- If you keep doing him favors, he might start to take you for granted.
Learner examples
- Can you do me a favor and open the window?
- I asked my friend for a favor before the exam.
- Thank you for the favor; it helped me a lot.
- He did me a big favor when he fixed my car.
- I want to return the favor someday.
unknown
B1
entity
2
approval or support
When people like and support a person, idea, or plan.
Usage pattern:
in favor of [something]; gain favor with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse **"in favor of"** with **"favorite"**. *"In favor of the plan"* means you support the plan; *"my favorite plan"* means the one you like best. Also, do not say *"in the favor of"* when you mean support; just say *"in favor of"*.
Synonyms
support (Very close in meaning; emphasizes active backing more than general approval.)
|
approval (Focuses more on the feeling of agreeing than on active help.)
Antonyms
opposition (Active disagreement or resistance to something that others might support.)
|
disfavor (A formal word for lack of approval or support.)
Collocations
in favor of
|public favor
|win favor
|gain favor
|fall out of favor
|find favor with
Themes
politics
|relationships
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new law passed with strong public favor.
- Most voters are in favor of stricter gun control.
- The project quickly fell out of favor after the budget cuts.
- Her proposal found favor with the board of directors.
- He tried to gain favor with his boss by staying late every night.
Learner examples
- Many people are in favor of the new plan.
- The movie lost favor after bad reviews.
- She worked hard to win the teacher’s favor.
- The idea did not find favor with the team.
- He is now out of favor with the manager.
Noun
B2
entity
3
condition that gives advantage
Something that helps one person or thing more than others, giving an advantage.
Usage pattern:
[factor] is in [someone’s] favor; [something] works in [someone’s] favor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"on your favor"* instead of **"in your favor"**. The standard preposition in this meaning is **in**.
Synonyms
advantage (Very close; a general word for something that helps you more than others.)
|
benefit (Emphasizes the positive result more than the competitive comparison.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (A condition that makes success less likely, the opposite of something in your favor.)
|
handicap (A disadvantage or difficulty, often stronger or more serious.)
Collocations
in your favor
|work in your favor
|rule in favor of
|weigh in favor of
|factors in favor of
|evidence in favor of
Themes
business
|law
|competition
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The judge’s decision was in her favor.
- Several factors work in your favor, including your experience and language skills.
- The evidence is clearly in favor of the defendant.
- Home-field advantage was not in their favor this time.
- The current exchange rate is in our favor, so it’s a good time to import goods.
Learner examples
- The final score was in our favor.
- His age is in his favor for this job.
- The weather was in their favor during the race.
- The law was not in her favor.
- These facts are in your favor in court.
Noun
B1
entity
4
small gift for guests
A small present you give to guests at a party or wedding to say thank you.
Usage pattern:
party favor; wedding favor
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the "kind act" sense. **"Party favor"** and **"wedding favor"** almost always mean a small gift, not a helpful action.
Synonyms
souvenir (A more general word for something kept to remember an event; not only for guests and not necessarily small or cheap.)
|
gift (Very general; does not suggest the special event context or small size.)
Antonyms
none (In this context, not giving any gift at all is the practical opposite, though there is no single lexical antonym.)
Collocations
party favors
|wedding favors
|hand out favors
|tiny favors
|guest favors
|DIY favors
Themes
daily life
|celebrations
|family
|daily_life
|relationships
Examples
- We put small candles in boxes as wedding favors for our guests.
- The children were excited to open their party favors after the birthday cake.
- I’m looking for inexpensive baby shower favors online.
- Each place setting had a little jar of jam as a favor.
- They skipped party favors to save money on the reception.
Learner examples
- The kids got small toys as party favors.
- She made chocolate cookies as wedding favors.
- Every guest received a favor at the door.
- We do not have money for party favors this year.
- Guests took home a small favor from the event.
Verb
B2
action
5
to prefer or choose
To like one thing more than another, or to choose it.
Usage pattern:
favor [option/choice] over [another option]; favor [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"favor than"* after comparisons. Use **"favor A over B"** or **"prefer A to B"**, not *"favor A than B"*.
Synonyms
prefer (Very close; slightly more common in everyday speech, and often used with "to" or "over".)
|
favor (As a reflexive choice, sometimes sounds more formal or careful than "prefer".)
Antonyms
oppose (To actively be against something instead of preferring or supporting it.)
|
reject (To decide not to accept or choose something that could have been chosen.)
Collocations
favor one over the other
|favor this approach
|tend to favor
|strongly favor
|favor a policy
|favor a compromise
Themes
opinions
|business
|daily life
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I favor the first proposal because it’s more realistic.
- Investors generally favor long-term stability over quick profits.
- The committee favors a gradual change rather than a sudden one.
- Many parents favor smaller class sizes in schools.
- Recent trends favor remote work over traditional office models.
Learner examples
- I favor this plan because it is simple.
- Most students favor online classes now.
- She favors quiet restaurants over loud bars.
- They favor action instead of more talk.
- My boss favors a flexible schedule.
Verb
B2
action
6
to give advantage or be biased
To be unfair and help one person or thing more than others, giving them an advantage.
Usage pattern:
favor [person/group] over [another]; [system/rule] favors [group]
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with simple "like" or "prefer". When **favor** means giving an advantage, it often appears with systems, rules, or structures ("the law favors…"), not just personal likes.
Synonyms
bias (Often used in passive form ("be biased toward"), emphasizes the unfair attitude or tendency.)
|
privilege (To give special rights or benefits, often in a social or political context.)
Antonyms
discriminate against (To treat a person or group worse than others; opposite direction of unfair treatment.)
|
treat equally (To give everyone the same chances and conditions, with no special advantage.)
Collocations
favor the rich
|favor one side
|system favors
|tend to favor
|policy favors
|unfairly favors
Themes
social
|law
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new tax rules seem to favor large corporations over small businesses.
- This scholarship program favors students from rural areas.
- Critics argue that the legal system favors the wealthy.
- The current schedule favors morning people and is hard on night owls.
- Such policies clearly favor one political party at the expense of the other.
Learner examples
- The law favors big companies.
- Our teacher does not favor any student.
- This rule favors people with cars.
- The game favors players who know the rules well.
- He thinks the system favors the rich.
Verb
B2
action
7
conditions help a result happen
To make a result more likely by creating good conditions for it.
Usage pattern:
[conditions] favor [result/group]
Common mistake:
Learners may expect a person as the subject ("She favors…") and miss that in this sense, **conditions** or **situations** often favor results ("The climate favors…").
Synonyms
support (More general; can be about emotional or physical help, not always about conditions.)
|
promote (Often used for helping growth or development, especially in formal or scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
hinder (To make something more difficult or slow it down, instead of helping it.)
|
work against (To create conditions that make success less likely.)
Collocations
conditions favor
|climate favors
|trends favor
|circumstances favor
|current situation favors
|environment favors
Themes
science
|weather
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The dry weather favors wildfires in this region.
- Current market conditions favor online retailers.
- This type of soil favors the growth of olive trees.
- The new rules favor innovation and experimentation.
- The strong wind favored the runners in the last part of the race.
Learner examples
- Warm weather favors many plants.
- The rules of the game favor fast players.
- This climate favors rice, not wheat.
- The situation favors our team today.
- These changes favor quick decisions.
Verb
C1
action
8
protect an injured body part
To not use a part of your body normally because it hurts, so you do not make it worse.
Usage pattern:
favor [body part]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think **favor** here means "to like" a body part. In this sense, it means to **use it less** and protect it because it hurts.
Synonyms
baby (Informal; means to treat something very gently to avoid pain or damage.)
|
protect (General word; does not automatically suggest reduced use of a body part.)
Antonyms
strain (To use a body part too hard, possibly causing more injury.)
|
overuse (To use too much, often leading to injury, the opposite of resting or protecting.)
Collocations
favor his leg
|favor her arm
|favor one side
|clearly favoring
|still favoring
|seems to favor
Themes
health
|sports
|daily life
|body
Examples
- He’s still favoring his right knee after the accident.
- You can see that she favors her left arm when she lifts things.
- The runner started to favor his ankle halfway through the race.
- If you keep favoring that shoulder, it will take longer to heal.
- She walked slowly down the stairs, favoring her injured leg.
Learner examples
- He is favoring his leg after the fall.
- The player favors his arm because it hurts.
- She walks carefully, favoring her left foot.
- You should favor that hand until it gets better.
- He still favors his back when he sits down.
Verb
informal
C1
state
9
to resemble in appearance
To look like a family member in your face or body.
Usage pattern:
favor [relative/person]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the "prefer" sense. In *"He favors his father"* (appearance context), it means **he looks like his father**, not that he likes his father more.
Synonyms
resemble (Standard and neutral; used in both formal and informal contexts.)
|
take after (Common phrasal verb, can refer to personality as well as appearance.)
Antonyms
differ from (To be unlike in appearance or character.)
|
look nothing like (Informal phrase emphasizing a complete lack of similarity.)
Collocations
favor his father
|favor her mother
|strongly favors
|really favors
|seems to favor
|favor his side of the family
Themes
appearance
|family
|body
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She really favors her mother around the eyes.
- The little boy favors his grandfather, especially when he smiles.
- People say I favor my uncle when I wear glasses.
- All the children favor their father’s side of the family.
- He used to favor his dad, but now he looks more like his mom.
Learner examples
- The baby favors his father.
- Everyone says I favor my mother.
- Her daughter favors her a lot.
- Both boys favor their grandfather.
- He favors his father’s side of the family.
Grammar
Dictionary form
favor
IPA
GB/fˈeɪvɚ/
US/fˈeɪvɚ/
Syllables & stress
fa - vor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fa)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: favor
- Variant Spelling: favour
- Plural: favor, favors
Verb
- Base: favor
- Variant Spelling: favour
- 3rd Person Singular: favors
- Present Participle: favoring
- Past: favored
Word family
Forms
Related words
favorably
adverb B2
favoritism
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unfavorable
adjective
unfavorably
adverb
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: favour Verb
- Spelling Variant: favour Noun
Expressions
ask a favor
1/ˈæsk ə fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
request a kind act
To ask someone to do something kind or helpful for you.
Examples
- I’d like to ask a favor, if you don’t mind.
- He called to ask a favor before the interview.
- Can I ask a small favor of you?
curry favor (with someone)
1/kˈɚi fˈeɪvɚ wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
try to get approval by pleasing
To try to make someone like you, usually in a dishonest or exaggerated way, so they will help you.
Examples
- He’s always trying to curry favor with his boss by staying late.
- The company donated money to curry favor with local officials.
- She refused to curry favor with the media and stayed honest.
do (someone) a favor
1/dˈu sˈʌmwˌʌn ə fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
do a kind act for someone
To do something kind or helpful for someone, usually because they ask you.
Examples
- Could you do me a favor and turn off the lights?
- She did him a favor by driving him to the airport.
- If you do her a favor now, she might help you later.
do yourself a favor
1/dˈu jʊɹsˈɛlf ə fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
help yourself by doing something
To do something that will be good for you or make your life easier.
Examples
- Do yourself a favor and back up your files regularly.
- If you hate the job, do yourself a favor and start looking for a new one.
- Do yourself a favor and get some sleep before the exam.
favor (something) over (something)
1/fˈeɪvɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈoʊvɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
prefer one thing over another
To like, choose, or support one thing instead of another thing.
Examples
- Many people favor electric cars over gasoline cars.
- Managers often favor experience over formal education.
- I favor quality over quantity when I buy clothes.
find favor with
1/fˈaɪnd fˈeɪvɚ wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
formal
receive approval or support
To be liked or approved by someone, especially someone important.
Examples
- The new policy has not found favor with the public.
- Her ideas quickly found favor with senior management.
- The design failed to find favor with the client.
in favor of
1/ˈɪn fˈeɪvɚ əv/
fixed phrase
supporting or preferring something
Supporting or choosing something, usually instead of something else.
Examples
- Most people are in favor of the new rules.
- The committee voted in favor of the proposal.
- She decided against surgery in favor of physical therapy.
look with favor on/upon
1/lˈʊk wˈɪθ fˈeɪvɚ ənəpən/
fixed phrase
formal
regard something with approval
To approve of something or someone; to see it as good.
Examples
- The committee looked with favor upon the revised proposal.
- Universities may look with favor on applicants who have work experience.
- Local residents do not look with favor on the new development.
out of favor
1/ˈaʊt əv fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
no longer approved or supported
No longer liked, approved, or supported by people.
Examples
- The politician quickly fell out of favor after the scandal.
- High heels are out of favor with many young people.
- He is out of favor with the coach and rarely plays now.
rule in favor of
1/ɹˈul ˈɪn fˈeɪvɚ əv/
fixed phrase
formal
decide for one side legally
For a judge or official group to decide that one person or side wins.
Examples
- The court ruled in favor of the employees.
- The judge ruled in favor of the defendant after reviewing the evidence.
- If the commission rules in favor of the company, the project will go ahead.
win someone's favor
1/wˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
gain someone’s approval or support
To make someone like you or support you.
Examples
- He tried to win the teacher’s favor by helping after class.
- The candidate worked hard to win the favor of young voters.
- She brought gifts to win her in-laws’ favor.
work in (someone's) favor
1/wˈɚk ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
give someone an advantage
To help someone or make it easier for them to succeed.
Examples
- The bad weather actually worked in our favor.
- Her language skills worked in her favor during the interview.
- This rule might work in your favor if you apply early.
return the favor
1/ɹɪtˈɚn ðə fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
Do something kind in response
To do something good for someone because they did something good for you before.
Examples
- She helped me last year, so I wanted to return the favor.
- Thanks for your help—I hope I can return the favor someday.
- He bought me lunch, and I returned the favor by driving him home.
- She cooked dinner to return the favor after he helped her move.
- He offered to babysit to return the favor.
vote in favor of
1/vˈoʊt ˈɪn fˈeɪvɚ əv/
fixed phrase
Support by voting for
To show you agree with something by voting for it.
Examples
- Most people voted in favor of the new law.
- Ten members voted in favor of the bill and two voted against it.
- She voted in favor of increasing funding.
- Citizens were asked to vote in favor of or against the plan.
- The board voted in favor of closing the office.