Favor is correct in American English. Favour is correct in British, Australian, and most Commonwealth English. They’re the same word, spelled two different ways, and neither is a typo — the right one depends entirely on who you’re writing for.
Here’s how to choose the right spelling every time, plus the related words, dictionary rules, and details most guides leave out.
Quick Answer
- Writing for a US audience → use favor
- Writing for a UK, Australian, Canadian, or other Commonwealth audience → use favour
- Writing for a global or unknown audience → pick one spelling and use it consistently throughout the piece
Favor vs. Favour At A Glance
| Context | Correct Spelling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US readers, US business or academic writing | favor | Standard American English |
| UK readers | favour | Standard British English |
| Australian and NZ readers | favour | Follows British convention |
| Canadian readers | favour (usually) | Officially British-style, but US spellings appear often due to US media influence |
| International or mixed audience | Either | Just stay consistent site- or document-wide |
Why Two Spellings Exist
The split isn’t unique to this word. It’s part of a broader pattern in which American English dropped the “u” from a group of words derived from French and Latin — color/colour, honor/honour, favor/favour — during 18th- and 19th-century spelling reforms led largely by Noah Webster’s American dictionaries. British English kept the older “-our” form. Neither version is more “correct” in an absolute sense; each is simply the standard for its region.
A Simple Way To Remember It
Favour has a “u,” and so does “UK.” If you’re writing for British readers, keep the “u.” If you’re writing for American readers, drop it. The same logic applies to the whole “-or/-our” word family.
Do Dictionaries Agree?
Yes. Cambridge Dictionary treats “favor” as the standard US spelling and “favour” as the UK form, and Merriam-Webster labels “favour” as chiefly British. That means neither spelling is informal, outdated, or nonstandard — each is simply tied to its dictionary of record. Engrdu
Same Rule, Different Words: Favor/Favour Derivatives
The “-or/-our” pattern extends beyond the base word. The same US/UK split applies to “favorable/favourable” and “favorite/favourite,” and it also applies to the verb forms: Grammar.com
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| favor | favour |
| favors | favours |
| favored | favoured |
| favoring | favouring |
| favorite | favourite |
| favorable | favourable |
If you’re consistent with one form of “favor,” apply the same “-or” or “-our” pattern to every related word in the same document.
Favor and Favour as a Noun and a Verb
As a noun (an act of kindness, approval, or support):
- US: Could you do me a favor?
- UK: Could you do me a favour?
As a verb (to prefer or support something):
- US: The coach favors an aggressive strategy.
- UK: The coach favours an aggressive strategy.
Common Phrases
Both spellings work identically in set phrases — only the regional spelling changes:
- in favor of / in favour of
- do me a favor / do me a favour
- curry favor / curry favour
- in someone’s favor / in someone’s favour
Why Your Spell-Checker Might “Correct” You
If Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Grammarly flags “favour” as a misspelling (or vice versa), it’s not wrong — it’s just set to a different regional English (typically English (US) or English (UK)). Check and set your document’s language setting to match your intended audience rather than trusting the default flag as a grammar rule.
The One Real Mistake To Avoid
Neither spelling is ever incorrect on its own. The actual mistake is switching between them within the same piece of writing — using “favor” in one paragraph and “favour” in the next. That inconsistency reads as careless, even though both spellings are individually correct. Pick one at the start of a project and search the full document before publishing to catch stragglers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are favor and favour the same word?
Yes. They have identical meanings, pronunciations, and grammar — only the spelling differs by region.
Is favour wrong in American English?
No, it’s not wrong globally, but it’s nonstandard for a US audience. American style guides and dictionaries expect “favor.”
Is favor wrong in British English?
It’s understood everywhere, but it’s not the standard British spelling. UK style guides expect “favour.”
Does Canada use favor or favour?
Canadian English officially follows the British “-our” pattern, so “favour” is standard, though “favor” appears frequently due to heavy exposure to American media and software defaults.
What about favorite and favourite?
Same rule: “favorite” is American, “favourite” is British, following the same “-or/-our” pattern as favor/favour.
Should I switch spellings depending on who’s reading my website?
Only if you’re deliberately localizing content by region. For a single global page, choose one spelling and keep it consistent throughout.
Conclusion
Favor and favour are the same word wearing two regional outfits. Use favor for American readers, favour for British, Australian, or Canadian readers, and stay consistent once you’ve picked one. That’s the whole rule.
