favour

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈfeɪvə(ɹ)/, X-SAMPA: /feIv@(r\)/
• (US) IPA: /ˈfeɪvɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"feIv@`/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪvə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: fa‧vour

Noun

favour (plural favours)

1. (UK, Canada) Alternative spelling of favor. (For definitions, see the American spelling.)

   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?

Translations

favor — see favor

Verb

favour (third-person singular simple present favours, present participle favouring, simple past and past participle favoured)

1. (UK, Canada) Alternative spelling of favor. (For definitions, see the American spelling.)
   • 1611, KJV, Luke 1:28:

     "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." —

   "Would you favour us with a poetry reading?"

Translations

favor — see favor

Usage notes

• Favour is the standard spelling outside North America. Favor is the standard American spelling, and an alternative in Canada.

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Old French

Noun

favour f (oblique plural favours, nominative singular favour, nominative plural favours)

1. Late Anglo-Norman spelling of favor

   [V]ous leur veulliez faire favour[,] ease et desport sanz faire a eux ou soeffrer estre fait de nully male, moleste, injurie, damage indehucee, destourbance ne empeschement en aucune manere.

   You want to show them favor, ease and enjoyment without making them suffer or subjecting them to any evil, harm, injury, damage, disruption or obstacle of any kind.