What does disfavoured mean?
Disfavoured describes someone or something that is regarded with disapproval or that receives less favourable treatment than others. It functions both as an adjective — as in 'a disfavoured region' or 'a disfavoured candidate' — and as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'to disfavour', meaning to withhold approval or support from. The word belongs chiefly to formal writing and speech: political commentary, academic prose, and institutional reports are its natural habitat, where it frequently signals systemic imbalance rather than simple personal dislike. A community may be disfavoured in the distribution of resources, a policy disfavoured by experts, or an applicant disfavoured by a selection process. In British, Irish, and Commonwealth English it is spelled with '-our', while American English prefers 'disfavored'. Its opposite is 'favoured', and its closest kin include 'unpopular' and 'out of favour'. The word is useful precisely because it captures disadvantage without accusing anyone of active hostility.
Regarded with disapproval or dislike; not in favour; also, treated unfairly or given less advantage than others.
"The disfavoured heir was quietly excluded from the family's affairs."
Often used in passive or institutional contexts, implying structural disadvantage rather than personal animosity.
Past tense and past participle of 'disfavour': to regard with disapproval, or to treat without the favour or advantage given to others.
"The committee disfavoured the plan on grounds of cost."
Chiefly British spelling; American English writes 'disfavored'.
Swap one letter for a 'u' and you cross the Atlantic — 'disfavoured' is simply the British way of saying someone has fallen out of favour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disfavoured
Disfavoured derives from the verb 'disfavour', formed in English from the noun 'favour', which entered Middle English from Old French 'favour' (modern French 'faveur'), itself from Latin 'favor' meaning goodwill or approval. The prefix 'dis-' adds a negative sense, producing 'disfavour' — to regard without approval. The Latin root 'favor' comes from 'faveo', to be well disposed toward, which also gives English 'favourite', 'favorable', and 'infamous' through related paths. The spelling distinction between British 'disfavoured' and American 'disfavored' reflects the broader divergence in '-our' versus '-or' endings established in the nineteenth century by Noah Webster's reforms.
Related word forms
How disfavoured is actually used
The '-our' spelling is standard in British English and other Commonwealth varieties; American English uses 'disfavored'. The word carries a formal register and often implies institutional or systemic disadvantage rather than mere personal dislike.
Easily confused with disfavoured
'Disfavoured' is the British spelling while 'disfavored' is the American spelling; they mean the same thing.