1
a(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.
c
archaic
: leniency
d
archaic
: permission
e
: popularity
The fad lost favor quickly.
2
3
4
a
: 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
5
a
: a special privilege or right granted or conceded
granted a favor to a dear friend
b
: sexual privileges
—usually used in plural
6
archaic
: letter
favored; favoring
ˈfā-v(ə-)riŋ 
1
2
: to show partiality toward : prefer
3
a
: 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
Synonyms
Examples of favor in a Sentence
Noun
I drove her to the airport because I owed her a favor.
She's willing to help you but only as a favor to me.
Don't do me any favors. I don't need your help.
I've learned to be grateful for small favors.
He's trying to earn the boss's favor by working late.
The judge showed favor for the defendant.
The students naturally showed favor toward their own school's team.
Small boxes of candy were given out as favors at the wedding.
Verb
The teacher clearly favors you.
Most voters favor these tax cuts.
Her father favored the idea of her going to law school.
They won the championship last year, and most forecasters favor them to win again this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Immigration and the economy, dominant themes across the country in this year’s election, played in Evans’ favor, Covey said.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
Hannah Peart, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
In a classified assessment prepared in early October, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia, which favors Donald Trump, and Iran, which prefers Kamala Harris, were both plotting covert propaganda campaigns to sow post-election discord over the vote counting.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for favor 
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Noun
The company’s markets wagered correctly and controversially in Donald Trump’s favor in bets on who would win the presidential election, even though opinion polls showed a tight race.
—Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Immigration and the economy, dominant themes across the country in this year’s election, played in Evans’ favor, Covey said.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
Their findings also revealed that residents of the seaside resort favored by wealthy Romans had diverse backgrounds, primarily tracing their ancestry to eastern Mediterranean immigrants, highlighting the mobility of people and the multicultural nature of the Roman Empire.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
In a classified assessment prepared in early October, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia, which favors Donald Trump, and Iran, which prefers Kamala Harris, were both plotting covert propaganda campaigns to sow post-election discord over the vote counting.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for favor
Articles Related to favor
Dictionary Entries Near favor
Cite this Entry
“Favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favor. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
favor
1 of 2 noun
fa·vor
ˈfā-vər
1
a
: friendly regard shown toward another
enjoyed the favor of the king
b
: approval
look with favor on a project
c
: partiality sense 1, preference
the judge showed favor to one side
d
: the quality or state of being popular
lose favor
2
: an act of kindness
do a friend a favor
3
: a small gift given out at a party
favor
2 of 2 verb
favored; favoring
ˈfāv-(ə-)riŋ
1
2
3
: to make possible or easy : help to succeed
darkness favored the attack
4
: to look like : resemble
favors his mother
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