favourable

Favourable is an adjective used mainly in British English to describe something advantageous, beneficial, or likely to produce a positive result. It can refer to conditions, outcomes, situations, or terms that promote success or approval. The term comes from Middle French favourable, ultimately from the Latin word favor, meaning goodwill or support. In American English, the equivalent spelling is favorable, while the meaning remains the same.

Usage and nuances

Favourable often describes conditions or terms that are advantageous, such as a favourable wind for sailing, favourable market conditions, or a favourable exchange rate. It can also describe responses or opinions that show approval or support, for example a favourable review or a favourable impression. In legal, financial, or formal writing, it conveys a sense of being supportive or advantageous. The phrase in favour of is the standard British form to indicate support, compared with in favor of in American usage. Adverbs form as favourably or favorably, depending on the variant of English being used.

Related terms

Favourable is closely related to favorable, advantageous, beneficial, and supportive. The opposite is unfavourable or unfavorable, used to describe conditions or outcomes that are not conducive to success or approval. In everyday language, both spellings are understood, but speakers often prefer the British or American form depending on regional norms.

Examples

A favourable climate for investment, a favourable policy, a favourable verdict, or a reply that was favourable to the proposal. In legal and diplomatic contexts, terms like “favourable terms” or “favourable conditions” are common when citing grant criteria, negotiations, or forecasts.