From Middle English favourable, from Old French favorable, from Latin favōrābilis, from favor.

• IPA: /ˈfeɪv(ə)ɹəbəl/

favourable

1. Pleasing, encouraging or approving.

   Synonyms: approving, encouraging, good, pleasing

   Antonyms: bad, discouraging, displeasing, unfavorable

   The candidate wearing the business suite made a favourable impression.

2. Useful or helpful.

   Synonyms: advantageous, helpful, useful

   Antonyms: unhelpful

   We made quick progress, due to favourable winds.

   • 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC ↗, Canto IX:

     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.

3. Convenient or at a suitable time; opportune.

   Synonyms: convenient, good, handy, opportune, suitable

   Antonyms: bad, inconvenient, inopportune, unsuitable

   The rain stopped at a favourable time for our tennis match.

4. Auspicious or lucky.

   Synonyms: auspicious, fortunate, lucky

   Antonyms: inauspicious, unfavourable, unlucky

   She says that she was born under a favourable star.

• favour
• favourably
• favourite

• French: favorable
• German: günstig
• Italian: favorevole
• Portuguese: favorável
• Russian: благоприя́тный

• French: favorable
• Italian: favorevole
• Portuguese: favorável
• Russian: благоприя́тный

• French: favorable
• German: günstig
• Italian: favorevole
• Portuguese: favorável
• Russian: благоприя́тный
• Spanish: favorable

• French: favorable
• Italian: favorevole
• Portuguese: favorável
• Russian: благоприя́тный

favourable (plural favourables)

1. (plural only) Favourability ratings, percentage of people in favour