favourable
adj/ˈfeɪv(ə)ɹəbəl/
Etymology From Middle English favourable, from Old French favorable, from Latin favōrābilis, from favor. By surface analysis, favour + -able.
1
UK Apt to win favour; pleasing.
- The candidate wearing the business suit made a favourable impression.
2
UK Expressing or indicating favour or goodwill; approving, encouraging.
- The proposal has received many favourable comments.
- 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.1958 June 23, “First Battery Railcars on B.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 419:
3
UK Useful or helpful.
- We made quick progress, due to favourable winds.
- 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.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto IX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- 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.2012 August 1, Peter Walker, Haroon Siddique, “Eight Olympic badminton players disqualified for 'throwing games'”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 01 Aug 2024:
4
UK Convenient or at a suitable time; opportune.
- The rain stopped at a favourable time for our tennis match.
5
UK Auspicious or lucky.
- She says that she was born under a favourable star.
- Derived terms
- disfavourable, favourableness, unfavourable
- Related terms
- favour, favourably, favourite