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

This is a favorable time for improving your work environment, focusing on productive routines, and attracting more harmonious connections with colleagues. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024

This alignment fosters stakeholder confidence, driving support for growth initiatives and a more favorable valuation at the point of exit. —Peter Goldstein, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Also, the calendar isn’t favorable for retailers, with only 27 days for shopping from Thanksgiving to the day before Christmas — the fewest since 2019 — compared with 32 last year. —David Moin, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024

According to the most recent University of Michigan Consumer Survey, Republicans’ ratings of current economic conditions are at the lowest levels on record, while Democrats’ views are nearly three times as favorable. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Oct. 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