favorable

American

[fey-ver-uh-buhl, feyv-ruh-] / ˈfeɪ vər ə bəl, ˈfeɪv rə- /

adjective

characterized by approval or support; positive.

a favorable report.
creating or winning favor; pleasing.

to make a favorable impression.
affording advantage, opportunity, or convenience; advantageous.

a favorable position.
(of an answer) granting what is desired.
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

Etymology

Origin of favorable

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

Explanation

The word favorable describes something positive or promising, such as a two-thumbs-up movie review or the perfect conditions for golf. When things are going well, or in your favor, they’re favorable. Favorable is an adjective that describes approval or good conditions for something. If you wrote a book, you’d want the reviews to be favorable. If the weather is favorable, it's sunny out and perfect for a picnic. If you wanted to go swimming, thunderstorms would be unfavorable: they would ruin your plans. Favorable situations make us smile.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many species also migrate seasonally to stay within favorable temperature ranges.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

However, over the long term, the odds become more favorable.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

She started giving him favorable coverage and was given unrivaled access.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

“Overall, the industry has continued to face a tough environment, but on the heels of this more favorable release, we might be seeing the tide changing,” Wiederhorn added.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

I would work hard and serve my employer so well that he would shower Dr. Bledsoe with favorable reports.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023