Favour

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈfeɪvÉ™(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈfeɪvÉš/
• Rhymes: -eɪvÉ™(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: fa + vour

Origin

From Anglo-Norman

Full definition of favour

Noun

1. Alternative spelling of favor
• 2013-06-29, Unspontaneous combustion, Since the mid-1980s, when Indonesia first began to clear its bountiful forests on an industrial scale in favour of lucrative palm-oil plantations, “haze” has become an almost annual occurrence in South-East Asia.
2. I need a favour. Could you lend me £5 until tomorrow, please?
   Can you do me a favour and drop these letters in the post box?

Verb

1. Alternative spelling of favor
   Would you favour us with a poetry reading?
• 1611, :"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." —
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 5, The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 6, Even in an era when individuality in dress is a cult, his clothes were noticeable. He was wearing a hard hat of the low round kind favoured by hunting men, and with it a black duffle-coat lined with white.

Usage notes

Favour is the standard British and Commonwealth spelling. Favor is the standard American spelling, and an alternative in Canada.