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Added 9 October 2026

favor

/ˈfeɪ.və/ noun

In Latin: venia Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about favor at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A kind or helpful deed; an instance of voluntarily assisting (someone).
He did me a favor when he took the time to drive me home.
Goodwill; benevolent regard.
She enjoyed the queen's favor.
A small gift; a party favor.
wedding favor

verb

To look upon fondly; to prefer.
To use more often.
To encourage, conduce to

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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