favor
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.something kind that you do to help someone.
n.a kind or helpful deed performed voluntarily for another person.
Simple“Could you do me a favor and pick up some milk on your way home?”
In context“He felt he owed her a favor after she spent the entire weekend helping him move into his new apartment.”
UsageCommonly used with the verb 'do'.
PitfallCan you make me a favor? Can you do me a favor?In English, we 'do' a favor, we do not 'make' one.
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.support or approval for someone or something.
n.approval, support, or liking for someone or something; often used regarding public opinion or authority.
Simple“The new policy found favor with most of the employees.”
In context“The candidate struggled to regain favor with the voters after the controversial details of the scandal were released to the press.”
Antonymsdisfavordisapproval - 03 C1 Advanced
n.treating one person better than others in an unfair way.
n.unfair partiality or bias shown toward one person or group.
Simple“The manager was accused of showing favor to his own relatives.”
In context“The judge was careful to remain neutral, ensuring that no side could claim he had shown favor to the prosecution during the trial.”
Antonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small, cheap gift given to guests at a party.
n.a small decorative item or gift given to guests at a party or wedding.
Simple“Each child left the birthday party with a small bag of favors.”
In context“The couple spent weeks choosing elegant wedding favors that would reflect their shared love of local craftsmanship.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to like or support one member of a group more than the others.
v.to give unfair advantages to or to prefer one person or thing over others.
Simple“The teacher tried not to favor any of her students over the others.”
In context“Current tax laws tend to favor large corporations while placing a heavier relative burden on small business owners.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
v.to look like a member of your family.
v.to resemble a parent or relative in physical appearance.
Simple“The young boy really favors his father, especially around the eyes.”
In context“In many rural communities, you will still hear people remark on how much a newborn favors their grandfather.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily found in American regional dialects and may sound old-fashioned to some speakers.
Synonymsresemblelook like - 07 C1 Advanced
v.to avoid using a part of your body because it is hurt.
v.to avoid putting weight or pressure on a limb or body part to prevent pain or further injury.
Simple“He was favoring his left leg after he tripped on the stairs.”
In context“The athlete continued to play despite the injury, though it was obvious to the coach that he was favoring his right ankle.”
From Middle English favour, favor, faver, from Anglo-Norman favour, from mainland Old French favor, from Latin favor (“good will; kindness; partiality”), from faveō (“to be kind to”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂weh₁yeti (“to be favourable to”), from the root Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂- (“to shine, glow light”). Respelled in American English to more closely match its Latin etymon. Compare also Danish favør (“favor”), Irish fabhar (“favor”), from the same Romance source.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.