What does unfavoured mean?
"Unfavoured" means not chosen, preferred, or given priority when someone or something else has the advantage. The word can describe a person who was passed over in favour of another candidate, or an option that was less likely to be selected. It also carries a broader sense of disadvantage or lack of practical benefit: an applicant, group, or place may be unfavoured because of prejudice, poor circumstances, or an unfavourable comparison with rivals. In British English, it is especially common in formal discussion of selection, chance, and inequality. "Unfavored" is the usual North American spelling. Unfavoured is useful where the issue is not simply dislike but relative treatment: it points to the presence of someone or something else favoured by circumstance or decision. Its formal, slightly literary tone makes it particularly effective in precise discussion of inequality and opportunity.
adjectiveNot chosen, preferred, or given priority over someone or something else; consequently disadvantaged or treated as less important.
- Not chosen, preferred, or given priority over someone or something else.
- Not benefiting from favour, advantage, or favourable circumstances; disadvantaged.
"Despite her strong qualifications, she remained unfavoured because the position had already been earmarked for an internal candidate."
"Several applicants were left unfavoured when funding was concentrated in the largest cities."
"With three candidates still in contention, the team was the unfavoured side."
Sometimes losing is not the whole story: "unfavoured" names the advantage enjoyed by whoever was favoured instead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unfavoured come from?
The English adjective was formed in the 19th century by combining the prefix un- with favour and the participial ending -ed. It belongs to a word family that includes favourite, favourable, and their American counterparts favorite and favorable. These words ultimately derive through Old French from Latin favor, meaning goodwill or favour.
Related word forms
How unfavoured is actually used
Common in British and Commonwealth English, particularly in formal, journalistic, political, sporting, and social contexts. It can sound slightly literary in ordinary prose. North American English normally uses "unfavored," while "disfavoured" is more likely to mean disliked or disapproved of.
Easily confused with unfavoured
"Unfavoured" means not chosen or given preference, whereas "unfavourable" describes conditions, evidence, or opinions that are adverse or disadvantageous.
"Unfavoured" focuses on being passed over in favour of someone else, while "disfavoured" usually means being disliked, disapproved of, or regarded negatively.
"Unfavored" is the usual North American spelling of the same adjective.