favor
19 synonyms and 6 antonyms for favor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — (US spelling; UK "favour") A kind or helpful act done for someone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
How to use favor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
do someone a favor
in favor of
fall out of favor
Etymology
From Latin favor, "goodwill, support", from favere, "to be kind to, support".
Full origin of favor →Frequently asked questions
What does “favor” mean?
The word “favor” means (US spelling; UK "favour") A kind or helpful act done for someone. In plain terms, a helpful act, or general approval and preference toward something or someone.
How do you pronounce “favor”?
“Favor” is pronounced FAY-vuh (/ˈfeɪ.vɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “favor” in a sentence?
Here is “favor” used in a sentence: “Could you do me a favor and pick up some milk?”
What is another word for “favor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “favor” include aid, help, lending a hand, token, abet and assist.
What is the opposite of “favor”?
The opposite of “favor” — its antonyms — are discrimination, disfavor, unfavor, harm and sabotage.
What part of speech is “favor”?
Depending on how it is used, “favor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “favor” come from?
The word “favor” comes from Latin. From Latin favor, "goodwill, support", from favere, "to be kind to, support".
Is “favor” a common word?
“Favor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between favor and favour?
There is no difference in meaning — only in spelling. 'Favor' is the American spelling, while 'favour' is used in British and Commonwealth English. Both mean a kind, helpful act done for someone. The same pattern appears in words like color and colour, or honor and honour.
What is an example of a favor?
Asking 'can you do me a favor and watch my bag?' is a classic example. Giving a friend a lift, lending someone a small sum, or covering a colleague's shift are all favors — helpful acts done willingly and usually without expecting payment or anything in return.
What are the other meanings of favor?
Beyond a helpful act, favor can mean approval or support, as in 'the plan was met with favor' or 'voting in favor.' It can also mean preferential treatment — 'showing favor' to one person over others. As a verb, to favor something is to prefer or support it.
What is the difference between a favor and a service?
A favor is a helpful act done out of goodwill, usually for free and often for someone you know. A service is help provided more formally, frequently as a job and in exchange for payment. Helping a neighbour move is a favor; hiring movers is paying for a service.
