favor
HighNeutral to Formal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
A kind or helpful act; approval or preference shown toward someone or something.
Can denote partiality, a small gift/party item, or sexual consent in specific idioms.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; also a verb meaning 'to prefer, support, or give advantage to'. Conceptually linked to reciprocity, social capital, and bias.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'favour' for noun and verb. 'Favor' is the standard American spelling. The phrase 'curry favour' (originally 'curry favel') is used in both, but 'favor' is spelled accordingly.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. The verb may be perceived as slightly more formal in British contexts.
Frequency
Both are high-frequency. The noun form is extremely common in phrases like 'in favor of', 'do me a favor'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB: to favor [someone/something] (with something)NOUN: [someone's] favor [for/toward someone/something]PHRASE: be in favor (of something)VERB: do [someone] a favor (by doing something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “curry favor”
- “in favor of”
- “party favor”
- “return the favor”
- “do me a solid (informal equivalent)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in networking ('I need to ask you for a favor'), negotiations ('The terms are in our favor'), and HR ('He showed favor towards certain employees').
Academic
Appears in debates ('Arguments in favor of the theory'), historical analysis ('The king fell from favor'), and statistical bias ('The sample favors one demographic').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for small requests, preferences, and social reciprocity ('Can you do me a favor?', 'I'm in favor of pizza.', 'I owe you one.').
Technical
In law: 'judgment in favor of the plaintiff'. In statistics: 'a bias that favors one outcome'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager tends to favour candidates with international experience.
- The legislation favours large corporations over small businesses.
- She favoured her injured leg as she walked.
American English
- The coach favors a defensive strategy in away games.
- The new tax code favors early investors.
- He favored his old truck, refusing to buy a new one.
adverb
British English
- The deal was viewed favourably by the board.
- She compared the two products favourably.
- The judge looked favourably upon his remorse.
American English
- The market reacted favorably to the earnings report.
- His proposal was received favorably by the team.
- She speaks favorably of her time at the company.
adjective
British English
- The favourable exchange rate boosted tourism.
- We received a favourable review from the inspector.
- The terms of the agreement are highly favourable.
American English
- The favorable winds helped us sail quickly.
- The committee gave a favorable response to our proposal.
- Conditions are favorable for economic growth.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can you do me a favor and pass the salt?
- I am in favor of a longer holiday.
- He did a big favor for his friend.
- The majority voted in favor of the new policy.
- Could I ask you a huge favor? I need a ride to the airport.
- She returned the favor by helping him with his project.
- The court ruled in favor of the environmental group, halting construction.
- The current tax system seems to favor the wealthy.
- He was careful not to show undue favor to any one supplier.
- The ambassador sought to curry favor with the new administration through strategic donations.
- The arbitrator's decision, while not wholly in our favor, contained several advantageous concessions.
- The theory has fallen out of favor with contemporary scholars due to new evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FAVORite person – you're more likely to do a FAVOR for them.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAVOR IS A SOCIAL CURRENCY (owed, returned, banked); FAVOR IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (given, granted, asked for); BEING IN FAVOR IS BEING UP/HIGH (ascendancy, fall from favor).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'услуга' (более formal/service-oriented). 'Favor' часто быстрее и неформальнее.
- В значении 'поддержка/предпочтение' ('in favor of') – не 'за благоприятность', а 'за' (поддерживая).
- 'Favor' как глагол ('I favor option A') – не 'делать одолжение', а 'предпочитать/склоняться к'.
- 'Curry favor' – это не 'готовить одолжение', а 'заискивать, подлизываться'.
Common Mistakes
- *'Make a favor' (correct: 'Do a favor').
- Using 'for' incorrectly: *'Can you favor me?' (correct: 'Can you do me a favor?' or 'Would you favor this option?').
- Misspelling: 'favoor', 'faver'.
- Confusing 'in favor of' with 'in favor with' (the latter is rare).
Practice
Quiz
In a formal debate, the phrase 'the arguments in favor of the motion' means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always 'do (someone) a favor'. 'Make a favor' is incorrect.
A 'preference' is a general liking for one thing over another. A 'favor' is a specific act of kindness or the state of being approved/preferred. 'Favor' implies an active choice or bias, often with a social/personal element.
Yes. When it implies unfair bias or partiality, it can be negative (e.g., 'The teacher was accused of showing favor to certain students'). 'Curry favor' also has a negative, ingratiating connotation.
Use it to mean 'in support of' or 'to the advantage of'. E.g., 'I am in favor of change' (I support it). 'The verdict was in favor of the defendant' (to their advantage). It can also mean choosing one thing instead of another: 'He turned down the job in favor of a lower-paying but more fulfilling role.'