Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Positive, approving, or expressing agreement: Describing something that shows support, approval, or a positive opinion.
   • Advantageous or beneficial: Describing a condition, circumstance, or result that is helpful and promotes success.
   • Suitable or opportune: Describing a time or situation that is convenient and well-chosen for a particular purpose.
   • Promising or indicating a good outcome: Giving a positive sign or likely to lead to a good result.

Usage

• Use "favourable" to describe opinions, judgments, or reactions that are positive.
• Use it to describe conditions (like weather or economic situations) that are advantageous.
• Use it to indicate that a time is suitable for an action.
• In British English, the spelling is typically "favourable." In American English, the common spelling is "favorable."

Examples

• Showing approval:
  • The critic wrote a favourable review of the new film.
  • We are hoping for a favourable response to our proposal.
• Being advantageous:
  • The company operates in a favourable economic climate.
  • The terms of the contract are favourable to the buyer.
• Being suitable or opportune:
  • We chose a favourable moment to begin the negotiations.
  • Now is a favourable time to invest in the market.
• Indicating a good outcome:
  • The medical test results were favourable.
  • The favourable winds helped the ship reach port quickly.

Advanced Usage

• "favourable to": beneficial for or supportive of someone or something.
  • The new policy is favourable to small businesses.
• "favourable for": suitable or providing good conditions for a particular activity.
  • The weather is favourable for a picnic.
• "look favourable upon": to regard or consider something with approval.
  • The committee looked favourable upon the innovative plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Favorably (adverb): In a favourable manner.
  • The deal was viewed favorably by investors.
• Favor (noun, verb): As a noun, it means an act of kindness or approval. As a verb, it means to prefer or support.
  • She asked me for a favor. (noun)
  • The system seems to favor early applicants. (verb)
• Favoured (adjective): Preferred or receiving special advantage.
  • He was the favoured candidate for the promotion.

Synonyms

• Positive: Expressing approval or optimism.
• Advantageous: Involving or creating a favorable circumstance.
• Beneficial: Producing good or helpful results.
• Opportune: Especially convenient or appropriate for a purpose.
• Promising: Showing signs of future success.

Antonyms

• Unfavourable / Unfavorable: Not advantageous or approving.
• Negative: Expressing denial, disagreement, or pessimism.
• Disadvantageous: Involving an unfavorable condition.
• Inopportune: Occurring at an inconvenient time.

Idioms and Phrases

• "In a favourable light": Presented or perceived in a positive way.
  • The documentary portrayed the scientist in a favourable light.
• "Give a favourable hearing": To listen to something with an open, approving mind.
  • The judge promised to give the proposal a favourable hearing.

Adjective

1. presaging or likely to bring good luck
   • a favorable time to ask for a raise
   • lucky stars
   • a prosperous moment to make a decision
2. occurring at a convenient or suitable time
   • an opportune time to receive guests
3. (of winds or weather) tending to promote or facilitate
   • the days were fair and the winds were favorable
4. encouraging or approving or pleasing
   • a favorable reply
   • he received a favorable rating
   • listened with a favorable ear
   • made a favorable impression