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What is "favourable"

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
favourable
adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a favourable climate (=that is good for doing or achieving something)
▪ Both sides were working to create a favourable climate for effective negotiations.
a favourable/positive reception
▪ The movie got a favourable reception from audiences and critics alike.
a favourable/unfavourable comparison (=in which one thing or person is judged to be better/worse than another)
▪ My family was always making unfavourable comparisons between me and my older brother.
a favourable/unfavourable outcome
▪ Considerable progress has been made towards a favourable outcome.
▪ Discontinuing treatment too early may result in an unfavourable outcome.
a positive/favourable reaction (=showing that someone agrees or likes something)
▪ There has been a positive reaction to the campaign.
a positive/favourable response
▪ The product met with a highly positive response from the public.
favourable (=having a good opinion of something or someone)
▪ Older people tend to have a favourable attitude to the police.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
less
▪ In some cases Blacks were less favourable than Whites.
▪ Whilst some now characterise the relationship as grossly unfavourable, others draw the line at calling it less favourable.
▪ Unfortunately, an examination of the circumstances in which they were produced gives a much less favourable impression.
▪ The latter tend to offer less favourable terms, in order that they may have a slice of the cake.
▪ The recent improvement in East-West relations must also make the market for military equipment less favourable.
▪ However, a number of companies report that employee attitudes towards relocation under such circumstances are becoming increasingly less favourable.
▪ The companies had to be paid in their own currencies, at a much less favourable exchange rate than last year.
▪ Until the mid-1980s, merchants bought their cattle and drove them south, where the climate is less favourable to cattle rearing.
more
▪ These steps are likely to result in many employees' worries being reduced and their attitudes towards relocation abroad becoming more favourable.
▪ Both the main parties were split with Labour more favourable to television than the Conservatives.
▪ But the policy then was not to lie low until a more favourable climate developed.
▪ On the freight side, until the Charterail debacle, immediate prospects seemed more favourable.
▪ Now the clubs are to meet again, in circumstances that could scarcely be more favourable to Toshack.
▪ The stress concentration gets worse and the Griffith energy balance gets more and more favourable to crack propagation.
▪ While most Primitive Methodists were more favourable, their Conference likewise took no notice.
▪ The climate for doing so is more favourable than for some years past.
most
▪ The most favourable field is in the local government service, which will be described in the next section.
▪ The most favourable circumstance was the existence of governments in the Six which were broadly consensual in their view on integration.
▪ The most favourable attitudes were found amongst those subordinates who perceived their boss to be exercising the consultative style.
▪ Al Gore successfully sought recounts in the four counties most favourable to him.
▪ Article 5 imposes the plain language requirement and the obligation to interpret ambiguities in the way most favourable to the consumer.
▪ Ministers ensure that there are well-staffed press offices to promote the most favourable reception for their policies and decisions.
▪ In particular, homogeneity of description-type and direct conjunction through the connective and produce the most favourable environments for plural production.
▪ Far Eastern cultures appear to be the most favourable in which to grow old.
particularly
▪ Such individuals are in a particularly favourable position.
▪ The climate is particularly favourable and the area is known for its cider-making and vineyards.
▪ Some patches where the sea is constantly stirred tend to be particularly favourable to life.
very
▪ The report had been generally very favourable and his and his colleagues' morale had improved as a direct consequence.
▪ She also noted that Newsweek magazine had given him a very favourable notice.
▪ When conditions are very favourable a mass of trailing stems are produced.
▪ In contrast to Hocazade, Civizade came from a very favourable background from the point of view of the learned profession.
▪ As you will see, we are offering very favourable terms to our regular customers.
▪ The instant response was very favourable and next morning the reviews were superb.
▪ Trainee reactions to use of the system have been very favourable.
▪ Their fine physique and smart appearance made a very favourable impression.
■ NOUN
attitude
▪ This favourable attitude to the individual use of tape-slide material has been observed in other studies.
▪ In psychologists' terms, they have a favourable attitude towards it.
▪ The most favourable attitudes were found amongst those subordinates who perceived their boss to be exercising the consultative style.
▪ The least favourable attitudes were found amongst subordinates who were unable to perceive a consistent style of leadership in their boss.
circumstances
▪ Neither of these seats was to return a Labour candidate even under the exceptionally favourable circumstances of July 1945.
▪ Luck and favourable circumstances certainly played an important part.
▪ Since then chancellors of the exchequer have been able to put together their annual tax plans in relatively favourable circumstances.
▪ Why, then, are there still so many unwanted births among people with less favourable circumstances?
climate
▪ During the years of our research, numerous other publications were already in circulation, helping to create a favourable climate.
▪ But the policy then was not to lie low until a more favourable climate developed.
comment
▪ Clerical Medical's record of consistent performance has been highlighted in many independent surveys and has attracted much favourable comment.
▪ Many favourable comments were received from teachers and pupils concerning the wide ranging applications and future work opportunities available in Chemistry.
▪ The growing dialogue between teacher and parents received favourable comment in the Plowden Report.
▪ There were already favourable comments on changes in institutional and review visits.
exchange
▪ With higher area aid payments and favourable exchange rates, gross margins may now top £300 / acre, he says.
▪ Potential profits on overseas transactions can be reduced, eliminated or enhanced by adverse or favourable exchange rate movements.
▪ The companies had to be paid in their own currencies, at a much less favourable exchange rate than last year.
▪ Although turnover rose 11.5% to £1,287m, the chairman said that most of the increase was due to more favourable exchange rates.
▪ Officials said the increase was largely due to extra holidays abroad encouraged by the favourable exchange rate of sterling.
impression
▪ I've seen him a few times and he's never made a favourable impression on me!
▪ Unfortunately, an examination of the circumstances in which they were produced gives a much less favourable impression.
▪ She had formed a favourable impression of him then, as an intelligent, sincere, if rather serious man.
▪ Even in his ignorance, Lucien saw at once that it was essential he make a favourable impression upon this man.
▪ Their fine physique and smart appearance made a very favourable impression.
▪ Voluntary work can provide a framework for job-seeking and will make a favourable impression at an interview.
light
▪ Fortunately, when he started work on the book, Mr Paterson found himself viewing his subject in a more favourable light.
▪ On the one hand there is the completely free market approach, which views mergers in a favourable light.
outcome
▪ However, favourable outcomes have been noted repeatedly when adequate treatment is given before the onset of central symptoms.
▪ In both countries considerable progress has been made towards a favourable outcome.
position
▪ Portadown was criticized for having failed to take advantage of its favourable position for trade.
▪ Such individuals are in a particularly favourable position.
▪ The extra experience gained during this year places graduates in a very favourable position when they come to seek permanent employment.
▪ With the wind in a favourable position, the device could be locked and the sails used in a conventional manner.
rate
▪ They offered very favourable rates to industry to move into the area, and the whole venture enjoyed massive success.
response
▪ With such a favourable response Heather Mist was launched into the field during April.
▪ Public access to an environmentally attractive waterfront has received a favourable response in the city and has undoubtedly muted political debate.
▪ Once you have got a favourable response, you follow through with an invitation to a social event.
▪ In their experience this is a favourable response to a campaign like this.
▪ Theme days have also been introduced at the canteen with favourable response.
tax
▪ The Act also provides new guarantees and more favourable tax allowances.
▪ Supporters could be rewarded with favourable tax assessments or the renewal of public-house licences.
treatment
▪ When the stop of the Exchequer was forced upon the government in 1672 he received favourable treatment in the resulting settlement.
▪ There is no clear evidence that women receive massively more favourable treatment from the police or the courts.
wind
▪ The cook stood up on the forward side, so that the shed protected him when there was a favourable wind.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪ I don't want to hear your opinion -- unless it's favourable of course.
▪ Responses to his latest movie have generally been favourable.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Now the clubs are to meet again, in circumstances that could scarcely be more favourable to Toshack.
▪ The most favourable circumstance was the existence of governments in the Six which were broadly consensual in their view on integration.
▪ The tragedy is that visible trade with industrialized countries was not favourable.
▪ Whilst some now characterise the relationship as grossly unfavourable, others draw the line at calling it less favourable.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
favourable

Favorable \Fa"vor*a*ble\ (f[=a]"v[~e]r*[.a]*b'l), a. [Written also favourable.] [F. favorable, L. favorabilis favored, popular, pleasing, fr. favor. See Favor, n.]

  1. Full of favor; favoring; manifesting partiality; kind; propitious; friendly.

    Lend favorable ears to our request.
    --Shak.

    Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land.
    --Ps. lxxxv. 1.

  2. Conducive; contributing; tending to promote or facilitate; advantageous; convenient.

    A place very favorable for the making levies of men.
    --Clarendon.

    The temper of the climate, favorable to generation, health, and long life.
    --Sir W. Temple.

  3. Beautiful; well-favored. [Obs.]
    --Spenser. -- Fa"vora*ble*ness, n. -- Fa"vor*a*bly, adv.

    The favorableness of the present times to all exertions in the cause of liberty.
    --Burke.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
favourable

chiefly British English spelling of favorable; for spelling, see -or. Related: Favourably.

Wiktionary
favourable

a. 1 pleasing, encouraging or approving 2 useful or helpful 3 convenient or at a suitable time; opportune 4 auspicious or lucky alt. 1 pleasing, encouraging or approving 2 useful or helpful 3 convenient or at a suitable time; opportune 4 auspicious or lucky

WordNet
favourable

  1. adj. encouraging or approving or pleasing; "a favorable reply"; "he received a favorable rating"; "listened with a favorable ear"; "made a favorable impression" [syn: favorable] [ant: unfavorable]

  2. (of winds or weather) tending to promote or facilitate; "the days were fair and the winds were favorable" [syn: favorable] [ant: unfavorable]

  3. at a convenient or suitable time; "an opportune time to receive guests" [syn: favorable, opportune]

  4. tending to favor or bring good luck; "miracles are auspicious accidents"; "encouraging omens"; "a favorable time to ask for a raise"; "lucky stars"; "a prosperous moment to make a decision" [syn: auspicious, encouraging, favorable, lucky, prosperous]

Related phrases:

Usage examples of "favourable".

I left the coffee-room with the young Frenchman, who, being well acquainted with the place, took me to the most favourable spot, and we waited there for the two other champions, who were walking slowly and talking together.

Italy, and afterwards settled in England, where he met with the most favourable reception, and resided above half a century, universally admired for his stupendous genius in the sublime parts of musical composition.

Bloemfontein Conference the High Commissioner was personally favourable to the settlement by arbitration of all the differences between the two Governments.

During a more favourable season, moderately sized bits of the skinned ear of a cat, which includes cartilage, areolar and elastic tissue, were placed on three leaves.

The greatest number of them disdained to have recourse to a denial, and seemed less anxious for the preservation of their own lives than for the honour of the cause in which they had embarked, not with the view of assassination, as had been demonstrated, but for the purpose of ascertaining the true state of the public feeling, which had been represented by some factious intriguers as favourable to the Bourbons.

These will not be ready for action until November 1, but this would not preclude him from attacking sooner if a favourable opportunity were presented to him.

Not expecting to see me, she asked me why I had not gone to the pageant of the Bucentaur, which, the weather being favourable, would set out on this day.

The consul assured me that if I could in any way obtain the concession it would weigh strongly in my favour with the State Inquisitors, and even in the event of my non-success he would represent my exertions in the most favourable light.

A multitude of whelps came forth from the lair of this barbaric lioness, in three cyuls, as they call them, that is, in there ships of war, with their sails wafted by the wind and with omens and prophecies favourable, for it was foretold by a certain soothsayer among them, that they should occupy the country to which they were sailing three hundred years, and half of that time, a hundred and fifty years, should plunder and despoil the same.

But they were now at their camp, and the jamadars, standing together for a little, settled it that the omens being favourable, and the wrath of the Dewan feared, they would take the way to the Pindari camp next day.

I thought this reply of such favourable omen that I no longer doubted of my success.

Absolutely nothing: and had his Government continued three days he would have experienced a more favourable chance than that which he ought reasonably to have expected than asserted that the Emperor was dead, but an estafette from Russia would reveal the truth, resuscitate Napoleon, and overwhelm with confusion Mallet and his proclamation.

In this latter case, as long as the rate of subsidence and supply of sediment nearly balance each other, the sea will remain shallow and favourable for life, and thus a fossiliferous formation thick enough, when upraised, to resist any amount of degradation, may be formed.

It is owing to that feeling that you found me so reserved towards you, for I was afraid that you might harbour that fearful idea if I allowed, you to read in my looks the favourable impression which you had made on my heart.

He conceived a very favourable opinion of your character from your first letter, not only because you had chosen the parlour of the convent for our first interview, but also because you appointed his casino at Muran instead of your own.