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

Kaiser’s polling has 59% of Americans holding a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act, including 33% of Republicans. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

The National Weather Service in Dallas said there's only a dismal 15% chance for favorable viewing conditions in Big D on April 8. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024

Over the past year, nine biosimilar versions of the medicine were launched by other companies seeking favorable placement on formularies, the lists of drugs for which health insurance coverage is available. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2024

And only 40 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of President Joe Biden; 55 percent have an unfavorable one. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024

Our ability to meet changing demand trends with a favorable product mix has been an important differentiator for Cal-Maine Foods. —Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Water-cooled and naturally aspirated, the mill develops 118 hp and delivers 110 ft lbs of torque—a pretty favorable power-to-weight ratio considering the Super 3 is a 1,400-pound machine. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

The support was also temporary, leaving him with no option but to wish for more favorable weather in the future. —Patrick Cooley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Before China unveiled any of these policies, European officials engaged in extensive outreach to urge Beijing to consider the threat its exports posed to European industries and employment—and the risk of spoiling a European political environment that had long been favorable to trade with China. —Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 27 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