What does favoured mean?
'Favoured' describes someone or something that receives preference, approval, or special treatment over alternatives. As an adjective, it most often marks a person or option that is liked best — the favoured candidate in an election, the favoured son in a family — and it frequently carries a hint of partiality, suggesting that the preference may not be entirely deserved or evenly applied. It also appears in more neutral contexts to indicate advantageous circumstances: a plant grown in a favoured climate, a port in a favoured position, or the 'most-favoured nation' clause central to international trade law. The word is the adjectival form of 'favour', from Latin 'favor' meaning goodwill or approval, which entered English via Old French. British spelling doubles as the past tense of the verb 'to favour', meaning to prefer or treat generously. In American English the same forms are spelled with a single 'o': 'favored'. Its blend of warmth and potential unfairness makes it a precise tool for describing both privilege and preference.
Preferred over others; treated with special favour, approval, or partiality.
"Her favoured approach was to begin each project with extensive research."
Often implies unequal treatment when applied to individuals; neutral when applied to options, methods, or locations.
Past tense of the verb 'to favour': to have shown preference for or treated someone or something with partiality.
"Throughout the debate he favoured stricter regulation over market solutions."
British spelling; American English uses 'favored'.
In international trade law, the phrase 'most-favoured nation' sounds like a compliment but is really just a promise not to discriminate — every trading partner can be 'most favoured' at once.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of favoured
'Favoured' derives from 'favour', which comes from the Latin 'favor' (goodwill, approval), formed from 'favere', to show kindness. The word passed into English through Old French 'favor' during the medieval period, with 'favourite'-style usage flourishing especially from the early modern era onward. Cognates across Romance languages include French 'favori', Italian 'favorito', and Spanish 'favorito', all reflecting the same Latin root of benevolent regard.
Related word forms
How favoured is actually used
'Favoured' (with -our) follows British spelling; American English writes it 'favored'. The word carries a connotation of unfairness when applied to people — a 'favoured child' implies partiality — but is neutral or even prestigious in contexts like trade ('most-favoured nation') or geography ('a favoured climate').
Easily confused with favoured
'Flavoured' means having a particular taste added (e.g., strawberry-flavoured yoghurt), while 'favoured' means preferred or treated with special approval — the two differ by only a single letter.