favor

Something kind you do to help another person.

• Can you do me a favor?
• She did me a favor by feeding my cat.
• I owe him a favor after all his help.

How to use it: do someone a favor (Could you do me a favor?); ask someone a favor (I need to ask you a favor.)

Similar words: kindness, good turn

Common phrases: do a favor, ask a favor, return a favor, small favor

The approval and friendly support of someone, especially a person with power.

• He hoped to win the king’s favor.
• The minister fell out of favor after the scandal.
• Her honest advice earned her favor with the director.

How to use it: find favor with someone (The proposal found favor with the council.)

Similar words: approval, goodwill

Opposites: disfavor

Common phrases: win favor, lose favor, favor with someone

To like or choose someone or something more than others.

• I favor the cheaper option.
• The coach was accused of favoring certain players.
• Most voters favored the plan to build a new park.

How to use it: favor A over B (The manager favors experience over formal qualifications.)

Similar words: prefer, support

Opposites: oppose

Common phrases: favor someone, favor an approach, favor something over something

To use a painful or injured part of your body carefully so it hurts less.

• He walked slowly, favoring his sore knee.
• She favored her left ankle throughout the match.
• Are you favoring that shoulder because it hurts?

Similar words: spare, protect

Common phrases: favor a knee, favor a leg, favor an ankle

To kindly give someone something or do something for them.

• Would you favor us with a reply?
• She favored the child with a warm smile.
• The singer favored the guests with one final song.

How to use it: favor someone with something (Please favor us with a song.)

Similar words: oblige

Common phrases: favor someone with something, favor us