favorable
Americanadjective
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characterized by approval or support; positive.
a favorable report.
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creating or winning favor; pleasing.
to make a favorable impression.
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affording advantage, opportunity, or convenience; advantageous.
a favorable position.
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(of an answer) granting what is desired.
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boding well; propitious.
The signs are favorable for a new start.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing favorable
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 3
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Content Summary G.3: Spatial Reorganization
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Charlotte's Web
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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.
“Our polls showed favorable views on both candidates; the difference is generational.”
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
But outside the U.S., investors can find a more favorable regulatory environment and cheaper investment options without the premium now attached to the U.S. artificial-intelligence power trade.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Instead of coming to market as valuation plays, companies instead take advantage of a favorable market environment.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
The fundamental backdrop remains favorable although gold’s volatility is set to stay elevated as long as the Iran war lasts, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
And, after waiting for a favorable wind, the flagship, commanded by Vice Admiral George Carew, sailed proudly out of its berth, prepared for battle.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
