favorer

A favorer is a person who expresses support for a person, idea, policy, or action; in modern English it denotes a supporter, advocate, or backer. The term is relatively uncommon in everyday usage, with more frequent synonyms such as supporter, advocate, or proponent. It can function as a neutral descriptor in formal or historical writing.

Etymology and variants: The word is formed from the noun favor, with the agentive suffix -er. It traces its roots to Old French faveur and Latin favorem. In British English, the spelling favourer (with u) is occasionally used, while American usage tends toward favorer. Historically, favorer appears in older English texts and in some legal or rhetorical contexts to denote someone who pleads in favor of a cause.

Usage notes: Because favorer is rare in contemporary English, it can sound archaic or overly formal. In most contexts, writers prefer terms such as supporter, advocate, or proponent. The term is distinct from favor as a verb (to prefer or to show kindness) and from fawner, which refers to someone who flatters excessively.

See also: favor, favour, supporter, advocate, proponent, backer, patron.