Entry Word: favor

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 an act of kind assistance <a good and generous friend who is always doing favors for others>

Synonyms boon, courtesy, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn

Related Words dispensation, waiver; advantage, benefit, blessing, godsend, manna; liberty, license (or licence), privilege

Near Antonyms hindrance, impediment, obstacle

2 a feeling of great approval and liking <entertainers often learn that the favor of the public can be fickle indeed> — see admiration 1
3 an acceptance of something as satisfactory <over the years that kind of movie fell out of favor with the mass audience> — see approval 1
4 an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities <although his own son is on the hockey team that he coaches, Mr. Watkins conscientiously avoids any show of favor> — see bias
5 positive regard for something <was willing to do just about anything to keep the bossʼs favor> — see liking
6 the state of enjoying widespread approval <after that rock band fell out of favor—almost overnight—the stores couldnʼt give their CDs away> — see popularity