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

• admiring
• applauding
• appreciative
• approbatory
• approving
• commendatory
• complimentary
• friendly
• good
• positive

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

Fortune Solar hope dims in Europe European solar firms facing challenges in their home markets are considering expansion to the U.S., where demand is strong and sustainable policies are more favorable. —Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024

The future for a larger child credit is more favorable. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024

This time around, union members said conditions are more favorable, with a friendlier political climate under the Biden administration and a wave of other unionization efforts at colleges across the country. —Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Biden’s State of the Union speech in March recognizes this shift in the issue landscape to terrain more favorable for the president. —Clifford Young, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

Conditions should be generally favorable to observe the solar eclipse, which peaks close to 3:30 p.m. around 87 percent totality in the city. —Molly Robey, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

The best strategy is to spray a fungicide as soon as the conditions are favorable for the diseases. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2024

Antifungal shampoos work by restoring the pH balance of your dog's skin, creating an environment that is less favorable for yeast to thrive. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Ours is very favorable and gives us resiliency in many ways. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see favor entry 1

First Known Use

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

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