Origin: Latin suffix -able
Favorable has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
encouraging or approving or pleasing
"a favorable reply"
"he received a favorable rating"
"listened with a favorable ear"
"made a favorable impression"
(of winds or weather) tending to promote or facilitate
"the days were fair and the winds were favorable"
presaging or likely to bring good luck or a good outcome
"a favorable time to ask for a raise"
"lucky stars"
"a prosperous moment to make a decision"
giving an advantage
"a contract advantageous to our country"
"socially advantageous to entertain often"
Alternative form of favourable
In plain English: Favorable means something is good, helpful, or likely to lead to a positive result for you.
"The weather forecast is favorable for our outdoor picnic today."
The word entered English via the Old French favorable and ultimately derives from the Latin favōrābilis, which was formed from favor. While it appears to be a simple combination of "favor" and the suffix "-able," its history traces back through Middle English before becoming part of modern usage.