What does favorer mean?
A favorer is a person who supports, approves of, or looks with kindness upon a person, cause, or thing. The word is formed straightforwardly from the verb 'favor' plus the agentive suffix '-er', and it is used considerably more often in British English than in American English, where terms like 'supporter', 'backer', or 'advocate' are preferred. A favorer may be an enthusiastic ally — a 'staunch favorer of reform' — or, less flatteringly, someone who grants undue partiality, treating one party preferentially over others. In this second sense the word shades into the territory of favoritism, suggesting biased judgment rather than open support. Though never among the most common nouns in English, favorer remains a precise and useful term in political commentary, historical writing, and formal prose, where it conveys quiet, sustained endorsement rather than vocal campaigning.
nounA person who supports, approves of, or shows partiality toward someone or something.
- A person who supports, approves of, or looks kindly upon someone or something.
- A person who treats someone with undue partiality or unfair advantage.
"She was always a firm favorer of young musicians, quietly funding their first recordings."
"He remained a staunch favorer of the old railway line long after it had closed."
"As a lifelong favorer of underdogs, she always backed the least fancied candidate."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple supporters or partisans.
"The proposal gained favorers across both parties."
Favorer is one of those rare words that simply stacks 'favor' onto '-er' — yet it's far rarer in American English, where writers usually reach for 'supporter' instead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of favorer
Favorer derives from the noun and verb 'favor', which entered Middle English from Old French 'faveur' and ultimately from Latin 'favere', meaning to show kindness or goodwill, related to 'favor'. The agentive suffix '-er' was appended in English to denote a person who favors. Cognates and relatives include 'favorable', 'favorite', and 'favoritism', all tracing back to the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How favorer is actually used
Favorer is noticeably more common in British English than in American English, where 'supporter' or 'fan' typically replaces it. It carries a neutral to positive tone in the sense of support, but can imply bias when used of someone showing favoritism. It is somewhat formal and relatively infrequent in everyday speech.
Easily confused with favorer
A flavorer is a substance that adds taste to food, whereas a favorer is a person who supports or approves of something.