English

Alternative forms

• unfavourable

Adjective

unfavorable ‎(comparative more unfavorable, superlative most unfavorable)

1. Disadvantageous, adverse, unsuitable, inconducive; serving to hinder or oppose.
   • 1863, Henry David Thoreau, Excursions, ch. 6:

     The shade of a dense pine wood, is more unfavorable to the springing up of pines of the same species than of oaks within it.

2. (of a belief, state of mind, etc) Not favorable, disapproving.
   • 1860, George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, ch. 11:

     [Y]et the thing she most dreaded was to offend the gypsies, by betraying her extremely unfavorable opinion of them.

3. (of wind or weather) Causing obstacles or delay; not conducive to travel or work; inclement.
   • 1855, Herman Melville, Israel Potter, ch. 17:

     The wind was right under the land, the tide unfavorable.

4. Not auspicious; ill-boding.
   • 1903, Anna Katharine Green, The Filigree Ball, ch. 6:

     The fact that the bride went through the ceremony without her bridal bouquet is looked upon by many as an unfavorable omen.

Usage notes

• Nouns to which "unfavorable" is often applied: condition, circumstance, weather, climate, outcome, result, opinion, view, impression, effect, consequence, impact, influence, environment, balance, information, report, prognosis, rating, evaluation, review, position, factor, feature, aspect, reaction, response, attitude, season, development, treatment, ruling, case, state, experience, inference.

Antonyms

• favorable

Related terms

• unfavorably

Translations