favourable

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English favourable, from Old French favorable, from Latin favōrābilis, from favor. By surface analysis, favour +‎ -able.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈfeɪv(ə)ɹəbəl/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

favourable (comparative more favourable, superlative most favourable) (British spelling)

  1. Apt to win favour; pleasing.
    Synonyms: good, pleasing
    Antonyms: bad, displeasing, unfavorable
    The candidate wearing the business suit made a favourable impression.
  2. Expressing or indicating favour or goodwill; approving, encouraging.
    Synonyms: approving, encouraging, positive
    Antonyms: disapproving, discouraging, negative, unfavourable
    The proposal has received many favourable comments.
    • 1958 June, “First Battery Railcars on B.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 419:
      The batteries were supplied by Chloride Batteries Limited, under favourable terms, and the stationary charging plants at Aberdeen and Ballater were similarly supplied by Bruce Peebles Limited.
  3. Useful or helpful.
    Synonyms: advantageous, helpful, useful, propitious
    Antonyms: unfavourable, unhelpful
    We made quick progress, due to favourable winds.
    • 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto IX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
      So draw him home to those that mourn
      ⁠In vain; a favourable speed
      ⁠Ruffle thy mirror’d mast, and lead
      Thro’ prosperous floods his holy urn.
    • 2012 August 1, Peter Walker, Haroon Siddique, “Eight Olympic badminton players disqualified for 'throwing games'”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian‎[1], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 1 August 2024:
      Four pairs of women's doubles badminton players, including the Chinese top seeds, have been ejected from the Olympic tournament for trying to throw matches in an effort to secure a more favourable quarter-final draw.
  4. Convenient or at a suitable time; opportune.
    Synonyms: convenient, good, handy, opportune, suitable
    Antonyms: bad, inconvenient, inopportune, unfavourable, unsuitable
    The rain stopped at a favourable time for our tennis match.
  5. Auspicious or lucky.
    Synonyms: auspicious, fortunate, lucky
    Antonyms: inauspicious, unfavourable, unlucky
    She says that she was born under a favourable star.

Derived terms

Translations

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French favorable, from Latin favorabilis; equivalent to favour +‎ -able.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌfaːvuˈraːbəl/, /ˌfaːvuˈraːblə/

Adjective

favourable

  1. benevolent, well-disposed
  2. biased, prejudiced
  3. pleasing, attractive
  4. (rare) beneficial, favourable

Descendants

  • English: favourable, favorable

References

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