# favor

Pronunciation: US say "FAY-vur" /ˈfeɪ.vɚ/; UK say "FAY-vuh" /ˈfeɪ.və/

## Noun

1. A kind or helpful act done for someone of your own free will, without expecting payment in return.
   - Simple: A kind or helpful thing you choose to do for someone, not for money.
   - _He asked his neighbor for a favor: a ride to the airport before dawn._
   - _Lending them the car was a big favor that they never forgot._
3. Goodwill or approving regard that one person or group shows toward another.
   - Simple: A feeling of approval or kindness toward someone.
   - _The young artist enjoyed the favor of several wealthy patrons._
   - _Government policies that lose public favor rarely survive long._
5. A small gift given to guests, especially at a celebration or party.
   - Simple: A small gift handed out to guests at a party.
   - _Guests each received a small favor as they left the reception._
   - _She spent the afternoon wrapping party favors in ribbon._
6. Partiality or bias toward one party, especially when fairness or impartiality is expected.
   - Simple: Unfair support for one side instead of being fair to everyone.
   - _The appeal alleged favor in how the contract had been awarded._
   - _Any sign of favor by the arbitrator can void the ruling._
11. A ribbon, rosette, or other small token worn publicly to mark an occasion or to show support or affection for someone.
   - Simple: A ribbon or small badge worn to mark a special event or to show you support someone.
   - _Before the tournament, the young knight tied a green favor from his lady to his helmet for luck._
   - _Crowds along the route wore favors to honor the new queen._

## Verb

2. To like or prefer one person, thing, or option over others, often shown by choosing or using it more than the alternatives.
   - Simple: To like, choose, or use someone or something more than the others.
   - _The committee favors proposals that create local jobs._
   - _Many teachers favor smaller class sizes for the closer attention they allow._
4. To encourage or contribute to a particular outcome; to make something more likely to occur.
   - Simple: To help something happen or make it more likely.
   - _Dry conditions favor the rapid spread of wildfires._
   - _A flat course favors sprinters in the final stretch of the race._
7. To do a kind act for someone; to show kindness or generosity toward a person.
   - Simple: To do something kind or helpful for someone.
   - _The host favored each guest with a personal greeting at the door._
   - _Would you favor us with a song this evening?_
10. To resemble someone, especially in physical appearance; to look like another person.
   - Simple: To look like another person, usually a family member.
   - _Neighbors often said the boy favored his late grandfather._
   - _Those two sisters favor each other in both looks and voice._

## Noun

8. The person or thing that is the object of someone's special regard or preference. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The person or thing that someone likes the most.
9. Mildness or leniency in punishment; the easing of a penalty that might otherwise be harsher. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A softer or lighter punishment than someone might expect.
12. A resemblance or likeness, especially of facial features shared between related people. *(archaic, Northern England)*
   - Simple: A close likeness between one person and another.
13. A letter or written communication, especially as a courteous reference to one received. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A letter or written message sent to someone.
14. A person's appearance or countenance, especially the face and the expression it bears. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The face or general look of a person.

## Origin

It comes from Middle English "favour," borrowed through Anglo-Norman and Old French "favor" from Latin "favor" (good will, kindness, partiality), which derives from "faveo" (to be kind to) and ultimately a Proto-Indo-European root. The American spelling was changed to more closely match its Latin source.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/favor (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).