favorable

1 of 2

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

favorableness

2 of 2

noun

fa·​vor·​able·​ness

variants or British favourableness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being favorable

pleased by the favorableness of the court's decision

Synonyms of favorable

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

The new play got many favorable reviews.

He was given a favorable recommendation.

Early test results were favorable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Every athlete has an incentive to find a favorable venue. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026

Candidates whose public image depends on favorable coverage can be crippled by bad headlines. —Matthew Shelter, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026

Dryer air higher up in the atmosphere created an environment favorable for high winds. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026

This change shifts the more favorable tornado ingredients eastward into the Midwest and Deep South, and leads to more tornadoes in Illinois. —David Yeomans, CBS News, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see favor entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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