favorable

favorable — adjective

1. expressing a positive opinion about someone or something, or showing that you li

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

expressing a positive opinion about someone or something, or showing that you like or approve of them.

Example

Brian's new album received favorable reviews from music critics in London.

collocation: favorable review

Kemi left a favorable impression on her colleagues during her first week at work.

collocation: leave a favorable impression

Common collocations
  • favorable review
  • favorable impression
  • favorable response
  • favorable report
Synonyms
  • positive

    more general; can describe any affirming quality, not just opinion

  • approving

    more direct about expressing agreement or praise

  • complimentary

    suggests praise expressed explicitly, often in a formal setting

Antonyms
  • unfavorable

    direct opposite; expressing disapproval or negative judgment

  • critical

    focuses on pointing out faults rather than simply disapproving

Grammar Patterns

favorable + noun

be favorable

Usage Note

Common in reviews, evaluations, and feedback contexts. Often modifies nouns such as 'review', 'impression', 'response', 'comment', and 'report'.

Common Mistakes

The movie got favorite reviews.
The movie got favorable reviews.
'Favorite' means most liked; 'favorable' means showing approval or being positive.

2. giving a benefit or putting you in a better position to succeed, especially in b

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

giving a benefit or putting you in a better position to succeed, especially in business, finance, or negotiation situations.

Example

Sahil negotiated favorable loan terms with the bank for his new bakery business.

collocation: favorable terms

The exchange rate was favorable, so Ingrid bought euros before her trip to France.

collocation: favorable exchange rate

Common collocations
  • favorable terms
  • favorable rate
  • favorable conditions
  • favorable position
Synonyms
  • advantageous

    more formal; emphasizes strategic benefit in a competitive situation

  • beneficial

    broader; can apply to health, well-being, or general improvement

  • helpful

    less formal; suggests practical assistance rather than strategic gain

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

favorable + noun

be favorable for + noun

Usage Note

Very common in business, finance, and negotiation contexts. Frequently appears with nouns like 'terms', 'rate', 'conditions', 'position', 'price', and 'outcome'.

Common Mistakes

The weather was very favorable for us to win the game.' (when meaning the team played well).
The weather was favorable for sailing.
Favorable conditions help an activity; they do not mean personal success through effort.

3. showing a willingness to support, help, or speak well of someone or something, r

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

showing a willingness to support, help, or speak well of someone or something, rather than opposing them.

Example

The senator has always been favorable toward policies that help working families.

pattern: favorable toward + noun

Most local voters were favorable to the plan for a new public library.

pattern: favorable to + noun

Common collocations
  • favorable to
  • favorable toward
Synonyms
  • supportive

    more active; implies offering practical help, not just positive attitude

  • well-disposed

    slightly more formal; emphasizes a naturally positive attitude

  • sympathetic

    suggests understanding and agreement with someone's position or cause

Antonyms
  • hostile

    strongly opposed or showing active dislike

  • opposed

    in clear disagreement or against something

Grammar Patterns

be favorable to + noun

be favorable toward + noun

Usage Note

Typically used predicatively (not before a noun) and followed by the prepositions 'to' or 'toward' to indicate what or who is being supported.

Common Mistakes

She is a favorable teacher.' (when meaning supportive).
She is favorable toward the new teaching methods.
In this sense, 'favorable' is usually predicative and takes 'to' or 'toward'.

4. happening at a time that is suitable or convenient for a particular purpose, mak

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

happening at a time that is suitable or convenient for a particular purpose, making it easier to act or succeed.

Example

Aylin's job offer arrived at a favorable time, just after she finished her university degree.

collocation: favorable time

Mathieu chose a favorable moment to ask his manager about a possible promotion at work.

collocation: favorable moment

Common collocations
  • favorable time
  • favorable moment
  • favorable opportunity
Synonyms
  • timely

    more direct about convenience; 'favorable' adds a sense of good fortune

  • opportune

    more formal; emphasizes that the timing was perfectly chosen or lucky

  • convenient

    focuses on ease and lack of difficulty rather than strategic timing

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

favorable + time noun

Usage Note

Often modifies nouns related to time and timing, such as 'moment', 'time', 'point', and 'opportunity'. Rarely used predicatively in this sense.

5. (of wind, weather, or sea conditions) helping a ship, aircraft, or person to mov

5.adjectiveB2
Definition

(of wind, weather, or sea conditions) helping a ship, aircraft, or person to move forward easily and safely during a journey.

Example

The sailors waited for favorable winds before setting out across the Pacific Ocean.

collocation: favorable winds

Favorable weather conditions allowed the hikers to reach the mountain peak before noon.

collocation: favorable weather conditions

Common collocations
  • favorable wind
  • favorable weather
  • favorable current
  • favorable conditions
Synonyms
  • fair

    used mainly for wind in nautical contexts; 'fair wind' is a set phrase

  • following

    describes wind blowing from behind, helping forward movement

Antonyms
  • adverse

    opposite; describes wind or weather that hinders movement

  • contrary

    describes wind blowing against the direction of travel

Grammar Patterns

favorable + wind/weather

favorable + conditions

Usage Note

Primarily used in nautical, aviation, and outdoor-adventure contexts. Opposite of 'adverse' or 'contrary' when describing wind or weather. Not used for general good weather (e.g. sunny for a picnic).

Common Mistakes

We had favorable weather for our picnic.' (when meaning sunny and warm).
We had favorable winds for our sailing trip.
In this sense, 'favorable' specifically describes weather that helps movement or travel, not just pleasant conditions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe something that produces a good result, but they differ in scope and context. 'Favorable' (B1-B2) is the most flexible: it can describe opinions (a favorable review), conditions (favorable terms), or timing (a favorable moment). 'Advantageous' (B2-C1) is more formal and strongly emphasizes strategic gain in competition — an advantageous position in negotiations. 'Beneficial' (B2) is broader in scope and often used for health, well-being, or long-term improvement — regular exercise is beneficial, not usually 'advantageous'. 'Helpful' (A2-B1) is the least formal and most concrete — a helpful hint or a helpful person. In a business context, you might say 'The company offered favorable terms' (fair and good for you) or 'The company offered advantageous terms' (strategically better than what competitors offer).

favorable ↗advantageous ↗beneficial ↗helpful ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • extremely favorable
  • highly favorable
  • generally favorable
  • very favorable
  • broadly favorable

Prepositions

  • favorable to
  • favorable toward
  • favorable for

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'favorable' comes from Latin 'favorabilis', meaning 'favored, popular, winning favor', derived from 'favor' (good will, kindness). It passed into Old French as 'favorable' and entered English in the 14th century. The spelling 'favourable' with '-our-' follows French convention and remains standard in British English, while American English adopted the simplified '-or-' spelling in the 19th century.