Word
unfavorable
Phoneticsun·fa·vor·able
/ˌənˈfeɪvɝəbəɫ/
UK spelling · unfavourable
Definition
adj. not good or helpful for you. You use this to describe a situation or opinion that makes things difficult or shows someone does not like something.
adj. expressing a lack of approval or providing disadvantageous conditions. Often used to describe environmental factors, economic climates, or critical reviews.
Examples
“The team faced unfavorable weather conditions during the match.”
“The company decided not to launch the new product after receiving unfavorable feedback from the initial focus groups.”
“Despite the unfavorable market conditions and rising interest rates, the startup managed to secure enough venture capital to sustain its operations through the fiscal year.”
Examples
simple
“The team faced unfavorable weather conditions during the match.”
contextual
“The company decided not to launch the new product after receiving unfavorable feedback from the initial focus groups.”
complex
“Despite the unfavorable market conditions and rising interest rates, the startup managed to secure enough venture capital to sustain its operations through the fiscal year.”
Usage
Often appears before a noun (attributive) or after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become' (predicative).
Real-World Examples
“Results for blood sugar regulation were mixed: some studies reported unfavorable changes, while others found no effect.” “He also engendered unfavourable publicity as a result of a share option he had acquired when an unpaid non-executive director of Travel West Midlands , a council-owned bus operator.” Etymology
From un- + favorable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unfavorable