favourably

favourably — adverb

1. showing that you like, approve of, or have a positive opinion about someone or s

1.adverbC1
Definition

showing that you like, approve of, or have a positive opinion about someone or something — for example, when you praise their work, agree with their idea, or rate them well against others.

Example

The architect's bold design was reviewed favourably by the city planning committee.

passive: be reviewed favourably by [judge]

Soraya speaks very favourably of her old chemistry teacher whenever the subject comes up.

collocation: speak favourably of [person]

Common collocations
  • speak favourably of
  • review favourably
  • compare favourably with
  • react favourably to
  • look favourably on
Synonyms
  • approvingly

    more direct; signals open praise or agreement

  • positively

    broader and more neutral; can describe opinions or results

  • warmly

    stresses friendly emotion in the response

Antonyms
  • unfavourably

    the direct opposite; with disapproval or in a worse light

  • negatively

    broader; with a bad opinion or outcome

Grammar Patterns

compare X favourably with/to Y

speak/look/respond/react favourably (on/to)

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person or group expressing an opinion; common verbs are 'review', 'speak of', 'react', 'respond', 'compare', 'receive'. Distinguish from sense 2 by asking: is the subject EXPRESSING approval (sense 1) or BENEFITING from a situation (sense 2)?

Common Mistakes

The judges favourably the project.
The judges viewed the project favourably.
'favourably' is an adverb, not a verb; you need a verb such as 'view' or 'rate'.
She compared him favourably than her brother.
She compared him favourably with her brother.
use 'with' or 'to', not 'than', after 'compare … favourably'.

2. under conditions that help you, making it more likely you will get a good result

2.adverbC1
Definition

under conditions that help you, making it more likely you will get a good result, win, or make progress.

Example

The peace talks ended favourably for the smaller country, which kept its key fishing rights.

favourably for [party who benefits]

Renata's small bakery is favourably located near the busiest train station in the city.

collocation: favourably located / positioned

Common collocations
  • end favourably
  • turn out favourably
  • favourably positioned
  • favourably located
  • develop favourably
Synonyms
  • advantageously

    more formal; stresses gain or benefit clearly

  • positively

    broader; covers both opinion and outcome

  • well

    everyday equivalent for 'turn out favourably' → 'turn out well'

Antonyms
  • unfavourably

    the direct opposite; in a way that reduces your chances

  • badly

    everyday opposite for outcomes that go wrong

Grammar Patterns

[event] turned out favourably

favourably positioned/placed

the conditions favourably affect [thing]

Usage Note

Subject is usually a situation, condition, or event — not a person expressing opinions (that's sense 1). Often pairs with 'for [the person who benefits]'. Common verbs: end, turn out, develop, progress, position, locate, shift.

Common Mistakes

The judge looked favourably for the company.
Conditions worked favourably for the company.
sense 2 is about circumstances; if a person is judging, use sense 1 with 'on' or 'upon'.

Word family

  • favour
    nounB2
  • favour
    verbB2
  • favourable
    adjectiveB2
  • unfavourable
    adjectiveC1
  • unfavourably
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All five describe a positive reaction or outcome, but they sit at different formality levels and emphasise different things. 'Favourably' is formal and slightly bookish — common in reviews, reports, and reported speech ('the proposal was viewed favourably'). 'Approvingly' is more direct and personal — it highlights the visible signal of agreement, like a nod or smile. 'Positively' is the broadest and most neutral, useful when you don't want to commit to a precise emotion. 'Warmly' adds emotional warmth: a warmly received guest feels welcomed, not just accepted. 'Well' is the everyday spoken equivalent and works for outcomes ('the meeting went well'). Compare: a critic reviews a film favourably; a parent nods approvingly at homework; an audience reacts positively to a joke; a host welcomes friends warmly; an interview goes well.

favourablyapprovinglypositivelywarmlywell

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very
  • extremely
  • particularly
  • generally
  • surprisingly

Phrases

  • compare favourably with
  • look favourably on
  • speak favourably of
  • react favourably to

Prepositions

  • of
  • with
  • to
  • for
  • on
  • upon

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed by adding the adverb suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'favourable', which itself comes from Old French 'favorable', from Latin 'favorabilis' meaning 'showing or worthy of goodwill', from 'favor' (kindness, goodwill). The British spelling keeps the 'u' from the French source, while American English drops it ('favorably').