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

With SpaceX reportedly pursuing an IPO this year, the company is in a particularly favorable position, especially with Jared Isaacman, a business associate and former SpaceX investor, at the helm of NASA. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026

And at the top of the Peace-of-Mind list is Barbados, an island in the eastern Caribbean that stood out for its honeymoon infrastructure (think plenty of luxury, all-inclusive hotels and romantic on-island experiences), low crime rates, and favorable hurricane and disruption risk. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026

The case has enjoyed a favorable trajectory to date. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The teams ended up winning favorable settlement terms after a contentious trial in mid-December, which left Hamlin on a high until his parents’ house fire 17 days later. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

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