adjective

favorable

FAY-vuh-ruh-buhl

Favorable (adjective) means expressing approval; positive about someone or something. Example: “The book received favorable reviews in the trade press.”

adjective

Expressing approval; positive about someone or something.

"The book received favorable reviews in the trade press."

"She made a favorable impression on the panel."

Helpful to a person's plans or interests; giving an advantage.

"We got a favorable exchange rate on the day."

"The ruling was favorable to the tenants."

Of weather or conditions: suitable and unlikely to cause difficulty.

"They waited for favorable winds before setting out."

How to use favorable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood for you, or saying good things about you.

When to use it

Neutral; used across business, journalism, law and everyday speech.

Memory tip

Note the pair 'favorable to' (advantageous for) and 'favorable toward' (approving of) — they are not interchangeable.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

favourable → favorite → favourable to

Common pairings

favorable review favorable terms favorable outcome favorable conditions compare favorably

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Can you complete this real example?

The book received _____ reviews in the trade press.

Etymology

Via Old French from Latin favorabilis, from favor 'goodwill'; the American spelling of favourable.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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positive approving complimentary commendatory advantageous beneficial helpful in one's favour fair suitable auspicious promising

Antonyms

unfavorable critical negative damning adverse disadvantageous hostile rough

Related words

just bad important market beautiful positive fair anti

Rhymes for favorable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

See all rhymes for favorable →

Frequently asked questions

Is it favorable or favourable?

Both are the same word: favorable is the American spelling and favourable the British, Irish, Australian and Canadian one. Keep whichever you use consistent with your other -or/-our words, such as color and colour.

What is the difference between favorable and favorite?

Favorable describes a positive attitude or a helpful set of conditions — a favorable review, a favorable wind. Favorite is a noun or adjective naming the thing you like best, or the competitor most expected to win.

What is the meaning of favorable?

"favorable" (adjective) means expressing approval; positive about someone or something.

What is another word for favorable?

Other words for "favorable" include positive, approving, complimentary, commendatory, advantageous, beneficial.

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