Favor means to prefer one thing or person over others, or to show special treatment. When a teacher favors certain students, she might call on them more often or give them easier assignments. When you favor your right hand, you use it more naturally than your left. A coach might favor a defensive strategy over an offensive one because it matches his team's strengths better.

The word can suggest unfairness, especially when someone with power shows favoritism. If a referee favors the home team by making calls that help them win, that's breaking the rules of fair play. This goes beyond simple preference to actively creating an unfair advantage. But favoring isn't always wrong. You might favor chocolate ice cream over vanilla simply because you like it better.

Favor also means a kind act or helpful gesture. When you ask someone for a favor, you're requesting help: “Could you do me a favor and watch my backpack?” When you do someone a favor, you help them out, often without expecting anything in return. You might return the favor by helping them later.

The phrase in favor of means supporting something. A class might vote in favor of a field trip to the science museum. When something is in your favor, conditions are working to help you: “The wind shifted in our favor during the sailboat race.”