favorable

adjective

fa·​vor·​able ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

a

: disposed to favor : partial

taking a favorable attitude toward our request

b

: expressing approval : commendatory

The movie received a favorable review.

c

: giving a result that is in one's favor

a favorable comparison

d

: affirmative

a favorable reply

2

: winning approval : pleasing

a favorable impression

3

a

: tending to promote or facilitate : advantageous

a favorable wind

b

: marked by success

a favorable demonstration of a new invention

favorability

ˌfā-v(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌfā-vər-

noun

favorableness noun

favorably

ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē 

ˈfā-vər-blē

adverb

Synonyms of favorable

• positive
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for favorable

favorable, auspicious, propitious mean pointing toward a happy outcome.

favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

Examples of favorable in a Sentence

The new play got many favorable reviews.

He was given a favorable recommendation.

Early test results were favorable.

Recent Examples on the Web

At 7-5, Sac State needed a favorable vote from the seeding committee that placed 24 teams into the bracket, 11 of those automatic qualifiers as conference champions with 13 at-large berths. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Nov. 2025

The area's miles-wide, perfectly flat terrain offered a favorable environment both for Brown's dive and landing as well as the visual alignment of the aircraft to capture the shot from several miles away. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Nov. 2025

The order signed by Justice Samuel Alito will remain in place at least for the next few days while the court considers whether to allow the new map favorable to Republicans to be used in the midterm elections. —Mark Sherman, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025

Easy to get in, hard to move up Drawn to the state’s lax COVID restrictions, warm climate and favorable tax policies, wealthy transplants poured into Florida — South Florida, in particular — during and after the pandemic. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see favor entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for favorable

• unfavorable

Kids Definition

favorable

adjective

fa·​vor·​able ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

: showing favor : approving

a favorable reply

2

: promising, advantageous

favorable weather for the fair

favorableness noun

favorably

-blē 

adverb