favorable

[fey-ver-uh-buhl, feyv-ruh-]

adjective

1. characterized by approval or support; positive.

   a favorable report.

2. creating or winning favor; pleasing.

   to make a favorable impression.

3. affording advantage, opportunity, or convenience; advantageous.

   a favorable position.

4. (of an answer) granting what is desired.

5. boding well; propitious.

   The signs are favorable for a new start.

Other Word Forms

• favorableness noun
• favorably adverb
• nonfavorable adjective
• nonfavorableness noun
• nonfavorably adverb
• overfavorable adjective
• overfavorableness noun
• overfavorably adverb
• prefavorable adjective
• prefavorably adverb
• quasi-favorable adjective
• quasi-favorably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of favorable¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Middle French, from Latin favōrābilis; equivalent to favor + -able

Example Sentences

The National Association of Manufacturers, the R&D Coalition and the National Foreign Trade Council sent letters urging the administration to write rules that would be favorable to companies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a strong starting point, and actual purchases could exceed those minimums if market conditions remain favorable.”

Read more on MarketWatch

According to the new poll, 26% of California voters had a favorable opinion of Porter, compared with 33% who saw her unfavorably — with the remainder having no opinion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The tax bill makes it much more favorable to use domestic products.

Read more on Barron's

They said the $3.3 billion portion of the loan that would be rolled up from existing debt is favorable to the hedge fund group at their expense.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appropriate 
• beneficial 
• benign 
• convenient 
• encouraging www.thesaurus.com
• fair 
• helpful 
• pleasant 
• pleasing 
• suitable 
• useful