What does favour mean?
Favour is a versatile English word serving as both noun and verb, centred on the ideas of kindness, approval, and preference. As a noun, it most commonly denotes a helpful act performed for someone — asking a favour, doing one a favour — or the approval and backing extended to a person, proposal, or cause, as when a motion passes 'in favour of' reform. As a verb, to favour something is to prefer or support it, and to favour a person can shade into unfair partiality, the root of 'favouritism'. The word also survives in literary usage as a token of affection. Favour is the standard spelling in British English, with 'favor' used in American English. Its register ranges from casual everyday requests to formal political and legal contexts, making it an essential word across both conversation and official discourse.
A kind or helpful act done for someone, or the approval, support, and goodwill shown toward a person, group, or cause.
"He repaid her kindness by returning the favour years later."
In formal contexts, 'in favour of' expresses support for a proposal or candidate; 'out of favour' indicates loss of approval.
To approve of, prefer, or support something; to show partiality or kindness toward a person.
"The survey suggests that voters favour stricter environmental regulations."
In sports and forecasting, 'to favour' a team or outcome signals expected success without certainty.
The plural commonly refers to multiple acts of assistance ('he owed her many favours') or to small gifts given to guests at weddings and parties, especially in North American usage.
"The wedding table was decorated with small favours for each guest."
'Do me a favour' has become one of English's most versatile phrases — a genuine request for help, or, said with an eye-roll, a blunt way of telling someone they're talking nonsense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of favour
Favour derives from the Latin 'favorem' (nominative 'favor'), meaning goodwill or approbation, built on 'favere', to show kindness or support. It entered Middle English from Old French 'favour' around the thirteenth to fourteenth century, carrying its senses of goodwill and kindly regard. The Latin root also gives us related words including 'favorite', 'favorable', and 'favoritism', all sharing the core notion of leaning warmly toward someone or something.
Related word forms
How favour is actually used
Favour is the standard British spelling; 'favor' is the American equivalent. The word carries a warm connotation in its 'kindness' sense, but 'out of favour' and 'in favour of' are neutral-to-formal registers common in political and legal writing. In informal speech, 'Do me a favour!' is frequently used rhetorically as a dismissive retort rather than a real request.
Easily confused with favour
Flavour means taste or distinctive quality, while favour means kindness, approval, or preference — they differ by one letter but share no meaning overlap.