Favor
In Southern and Appalachian English, "favor" means to resemble someone in appearance or manner - especially a relative. It’s the regional equivalent of "take after."
#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern
synonyms: take after, resemble, look like, act like
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'favors his daddy' all my life, and it's still common down here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I've heard 'favors his daddy' all my life, and it's still common down here. Pronunciation
[FAY-vur] /ˈfeɪ.vɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- To resemble someone in looks or behavior (verb)
Elmer:
That boy sure favors his daddy.
That boy sure favors his daddy.
Estel:
Yep - got his eyes and his grin too.
Yep - got his eyes and his grin too.variations: favors, favoring
★ Think of "favor" as the Southern way to say "take after." It’s about likeness, not permission or kindness. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English "favor" meaning "to resemble," preserved in Southern and Appalachian speech. This usage appears in 19th-century American literature and oral histories throughout the South.
Usage Notes
- Common across Appalachia and the rural South; less common in mainstream American English today but instantly recognizable regionally.
- Often used about family resemblance but can also describe mannerisms - "She favors her mama’s way of talking."
- Contrast with mainstream "take after" - this is the regional equivalent.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Favor. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/favor
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Favor." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/favor.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Favor." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/favor.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...