Favor meaning, definition, and synonyms

Favor is a word with several related meanings. It can refer to kindness, approval, advantage, preference, or a small gift given to guests at a party. As a verb, it can mean to treat gently, to prefer, or to regard someone or something as likely to win or succeed.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˈfeɪvər/

Easy pronunciation: FAY-vuhr (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the first syllable.

Primary sense: the noun meaning an act of gracious kindness.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Favor Meaning

a kind act done to help someone

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an act of gracious kindness

Example: She asked him for a small favor.

Synonyms for this meaning:

kindness — Close in meaning when favor means a helpful kind act.
help — Works in many contexts, though it is broader and less specific.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Favor

Meaning 2

good will or approval toward someone

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a feeling of favorable regard

Example: He looked on the new student with favor.

Synonyms for this meaning:

favour — British spelling of the same word.

Meaning 3

support or liking for something

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an inclination to approve

Example: That style is in favor this season.

Synonyms for this meaning:

approval — Related in meaning, but narrower and not always a direct substitute.

Meaning 4

something helpful that benefits someone

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an advantage to the benefit of someone or something

Example: The decision was in his favor.

Synonyms for this meaning:

advantage — Good substitute in this sense.

Meaning 5

a small gift given to guests at a party

Part of speech: noun

Definition: souvenir consisting of a small gift given to a guest at a party

Example: Each child took home a party favor.

Synonyms for this meaning:

party favor — Direct match for this specific sense.
party favour — British spelling of the same item.

Meaning 6

to handle something with care

Part of speech: verb

Definition: treat gently or carefully

Example: Please favor the injured leg while it heals.

Synonyms for this meaning:

favour — British spelling of the same verb.

Meaning 7

to give someone a special privilege

Part of speech: verb

Definition: bestow a privilege upon

Example: The committee may favor long-time members with early access.

Synonyms for this meaning:

privilege — Related, but usually a noun and not a true verb substitute.
favour — British spelling of the same verb.

Meaning 8

to prefer one person or thing over another

Part of speech: verb

Definition: promote over another

Example: Some employers favor candidates with experience.

Synonyms for this meaning:

prefer — Strong synonym in this sense.
favour — British spelling of the same verb.

Meaning 9

to be expected to win or succeed

Part of speech: verb

Definition: consider as the favorite

Example: The home team was favored to win.

Synonyms for this meaning:

favour — British spelling of the same verb.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Favor Synonyms

Similar Meaning

kindness
advantage
prefer
party favor

a feeling of favorable regard

favour

an inclination to approve

approval

an advantage to the benefit of someone or something

advantage

souvenir consisting of a small gift given to a guest at a party

party favor
party favour

treat gently or carefully

favour

bestow a privilege upon

privilege
favour

promote over another

prefer
favour

consider as the favorite

favour

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse favor meaning a kind act with favor meaning approval or advantage.
Do not confuse favor as a verb meaning 'prefer' with favor meaning 'treat gently or carefully.'
Party favor is a noun for a small gift at a party, not a general synonym for kindness or approval.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does favor mean?

Favor can mean a kind act, approval, advantage, preference, or a small gift for guests at a party. As a verb, it can mean to treat carefully, prefer, or support someone or something.

What is the most common meaning of favor?

The most common everyday meaning is a kind act or helpful thing done for someone.

What are the best synonyms for favor?

For the noun meaning a kind act, good synonyms include kindness and help. Other senses use different words, such as advantage for the benefit sense and prefer for the verb sense.

Is favor the same as favour?

Yes. Favor is the American spelling, and favour is the British spelling.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.