favor
Something kind or helpful that you do for someone, usually because they ask you.
A kind or helpful act that you do for someone, usually because they ask you, not because you must.
When people like and support a person, idea, or plan.
Approval or support for a person, idea, plan, or action.
Something that helps one person or thing more than others, giving an advantage.
A condition, decision, or fact that gives an advantage to someone or something, especially in comparisons or competitions.
A small present you give to guests at a party or wedding to say thank you.
A small, usually inexpensive gift given to guests at a party, wedding, or other social event as a thank-you for coming.
To like one thing more than another, or to choose it.
To prefer one person or thing over another, or to choose or recommend it.
To be unfair and help one person or thing more than others, giving them an advantage.
To treat someone or something better than others, or to give them an advantage, sometimes unfairly.
To make a result more likely by creating good conditions for it.
To help a particular result to happen more easily by creating or being part of good conditions.
To not use a part of your body normally because it hurts, so you do not make it worse.
To protect a part of your body that is painful or injured by using it less or putting less weight or pressure on it.
To look like a family member in your face or body.
To look similar to someone, especially a family member, in your face or general appearance.
- Base: favor
- Variant Spelling: favour
- Plural: favor, favors
- Base: favor
- Variant Spelling: favour
- 3rd Person Singular: favors
- Present Participle: favoring
- Past: favored
- Spelling Variant: favour Verb
- Spelling Variant: favour Noun
ask a favor
1request a kind act
To ask someone to do something kind or helpful for you.
- 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)
1try to get approval by pleasing
To try to make someone like you, usually in a dishonest or exaggerated way, so they will help you.
- 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
1do a kind act for someone
To do something kind or helpful for someone, usually because they ask you.
- 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
1help yourself by doing something
To do something that will be good for you or make your life easier.
- 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)
1prefer one thing over another
To like, choose, or support one thing instead of another thing.
- 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
1receive approval or support
To be liked or approved by someone, especially someone important.
- 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
1supporting or preferring something
Supporting or choosing something, usually instead of something else.
- 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
1regard something with approval
To approve of something or someone; to see it as good.
- 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
1no longer approved or supported
No longer liked, approved, or supported by people.
- 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
1decide for one side legally
For a judge or official group to decide that one person or side wins.
- 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
1gain someone’s approval or support
To make someone like you or support you.
- 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
1give someone an advantage
To help someone or make it easier for them to succeed.
- 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
1Do something kind in response
To do something good for someone because they did something good for you before.
- 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
1Support by voting for
To show you agree with something by voting for it.
- 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.