Definition of favor
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1)
: friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior
a politician attempting to keep the favor of the voters
(2)
: approving consideration or attention : approbation
looked with favor on the enterprise
b
: partiality
The students naturally showed favor toward their own team.
e
: popularity
The fad lost favor quickly.
3a
: gracious kindness
also
: an act of such kindness
did you a favor
4a
: a token of love (such as a ribbon) usually worn conspicuously
b
: a small gift or decorative item given out at a party
c
: badge
5a
: a special privilege or right granted or conceded
granted a favor to a dear friend
b
: sexual privileges
—usually used in plural
in favor of
in one's favor
out of favor
1a
: in accord or sympathy with
b
: to the benefit of : in support of
a verdict in favor of the accused
2
: to the order of
3
: in order to choose : out of preference for
turned down the scholarship in favor of a pro career
1
: in one's good graces
wanted to get back in the teacher's favor
2
: to one's advantage
The judge ruled in our favor.
favor
verbDefinition of favor (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to regard or treat with favor
c
: to treat gently or carefully
favored her injured leg
2
: to show partiality toward : prefer
3a
: to give support or confirmation to : sustain
b
: to afford advantages for success to : facilitate
good weather favored the outing
4
: to bear a resemblance to
he favors his father
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Words for Scrabble
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share favor
Time Traveler for favor
The first known use of favor was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century