favour

Pluralfavours

Formsfavours, favouring, favoured

1. 1
   kind actnouncountable

   Something kind that you do to help someone.

   Could you do me a favour and feed the cat this weekend?

   She has done me so many favours since I moved into the flat.

   UsageSay do me a favour (not incorrect: make me a favour). In America it is spelt favor.

2. 2
   like moreverb

   To like one person or thing more than others.

   Most of the class favour a trip to the seaside.

   My gran always favoured my older brother.

   UsageSay you favour one thing over another.

3. 3
   noununcountable

   Liking and support for a plan, an idea or one side.

   Almost everyone in the class voted in favour of a trip to the seaside.

   The idea of a longer school day did not find much favour with parents.

   UsageSay you are in favour of an idea when you support it.

   Similarsupport, approval, backing, popularity

   Oppositeopposition

4. 4
   advantagenoununcountable

   Help or advantage for a person, which gives them a better chance.

   The score was 3–1 in our favour at half-time.

   Being tall really works in your favour in netball.

   UsageSay something works in your favour when it helps you.

   Similaradvantage, benefit

   Oppositedisadvantage

5. 5
   good gracesnoununcountable

   Kind feelings or approval that someone shows towards another person.

   The new manager quickly won the team's favour.

   That band has fallen out of favour with young people.

   UsageSay you win someone's favour, or a thing falls out of favour.

   Oppositedisapproval

6. 6
   promoteverb

   To help something happen or grow.

   Mild winters favour the growth of weeds in the garden.

   Warm, damp weather favours the spread of mould.

7. 7
   party giftnouncountable

   A small present given to each guest at a party or wedding.

   At the wedding, each guest took home a little bag of sweets as a favour.

   We put a bag of sweets by each plate as a wedding favour.

   UsageSay wedding favours or party favours.

8. 8
   give graciouslyverb

   To do something kind for someone, often by giving them something.

   Could you favour me with a few minutes of your time?

   The famous chef favoured us with a visit to our school kitchen.

   UsageSay favour someone with something, like a visit.

9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To be careful with a hurt or painful part of your body so that you do not hurt it more.

   She was favouring her sore knee as she walked up the stairs.

   He had to favour his hurt hand for a week after the fall.

   Similarnurse, protect

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