unfavourable
|un-fav-our-a-ble|
🇺🇸
/ʌnˈfeɪvərəbəl/
🇬🇧
/ʌnˈfeɪvərəbl/
not favourable; disadvantageous/negative
Etymology
'unfavourable' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'favourable', where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'favourable' ultimately comes from Latin 'favēre' (via Old French) meaning 'to support or show favour'.
'favourable' changed from Old French 'favorable' (and from Latin root 'favēre') into Middle English as 'favurable'/'favourable', and the negating prefix 'un-' (from Old English/Old French) was attached to create 'unfavourable'.
Initially, the element referred simply to the absence of favour or support ('not favourable'); over time the combined word broadened to mean 'disadvantageous', 'negative in effect', or 'expressing disapproval'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not likely to produce a good result; disadvantageous or harmful.
The weather forecast is unfavourable for sailing this weekend.
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Adjective 2
showing or expressing disapproval, criticism, or a negative opinion.
The newspaper published an unfavourable review of the play.
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Adjective 3
not suitable or helpful for a particular purpose or situation (e.g., conditions, position).
He was placed in an unfavourable position during negotiations.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 04:20