inconvenience
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being inconvenient.
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an inconvenient circumstance or thing; something that causes discomfort, trouble, etc.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the state or quality of being inconvenient
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something inconvenient; a hindrance, trouble, or difficulty
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inconvenience
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word inconvenientia. See in- 3, convenience
Explanation
An inconvenience is an annoying occurrence that makes you go out of your way, like the inconvenience of a detour that takes you off your usual route, or the inconvenience of the door bell ringing just as you are about to take a dish out of the oven. The noun inconvenience, pronounced "in-cun-VEE-nyent," comes from the Latin word inconvenientia, from in-, meaning “not,” and convenient-, meaning “agreeing, fitting.” That meaning still holds true for inconvenience: something that doesn’t fit easily into your life, though it doesn't cause suffering, either. Use it to describe small irritations, like the inconvenience of an airport delay.
Vocabulary lists containing inconvenience
The Giver
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“And I think there’s a need to work our collective muscles of being able to bear the presence of others,” she said, citing Lauren Berlant’s book, “On the Inconvenience of Other People.”
From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023
Another wrote: “Man if the IRS is that backed up then why did they send out all these auto-generated forms? Inconvenience for everyone, including the IRS reps who have to handle all these calls.”
From Washington Post • Jan. 28, 2022
Inconvenience: Many of the most robust cybersecurity technologies also make it harder to use the internet.
From Slate • Feb. 1, 2017
If only director Clint Eastwood had had the wit to call his new movie about Sullenberger This Is Just a Temporary Inconvenience.
From The Guardian • Nov. 27, 2016
One bore the inscription, "The Savoy—Every Modern Inconvenience!"
From Fanny Goes to War by Washington, Pat Beauchamp
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
