convenience

American  

[kuhn-veen-yuhns] / kənˈvin jəns /

noun

• conveniences
  plural

1. the quality of being convenient; suitability.

   Synonyms:

   availability, handiness, utility

2. anything that saves or simplifies work, adds to one's ease or comfort, etc., as an appliance, utensil, or the like.

3. a convenient situation or time.

   at your convenience.

4. advantage or accommodation.

   a shelter for the convenience of travelers.

5. Chiefly British. water closet.

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adjective

1. easy to obtain, use, or reach; made for convenience.

   convenience utensils that can be discarded after use.

convenience British  

/ kənˈviːnɪəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being suitable or opportune

   the convenience of the hour

2. a convenient time or situation

3. at a time suitable to you

4. formal as soon as possible

5. usefulness, comfort, or facility

6. an object that is particularly useful, esp a labour-saving device

7. euphemistic a lavatory, esp a public one

8. to take advantage of; impose upon

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convenience Idioms  

1. see at one's convenience.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• conveniences
  plural

Etymology

Origin of convenience

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin convenientia “harmony, agreement,” from convenient-, stem of conveniēns “coming together” ( see convenient) + -ia -ia

Explanation

Even though the real reason you want the newest phone is that it's incredibly cool looking, you might pretend that what interests you is its convenience, or how easy and useful it will be. The noun convenience is a quality of ease or accessibility. Just think of a convenience store, which is arranged to be easy to get in and out of, and sells things you might need to grab on your way home. Some things are referred to as a convenience if the whole reason for their existence is to make life easier in some way, like electricity, indoor plumbing, and microwaveable meals.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

convenience conveniences

Plans call for ground-level businesses serving residents and the public, such as a bank branch, convenience store and coffee shop.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Depicted with potted plants, ample relaxation room, and chic luggage storage under Saarinen tulip tables, the people mover, the video promises, “will perhaps be best known for its convenience and its feeling of luxury.”

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

Faisal Umar manages a 24-hour convenience store on the street, which sits in the heart of the dispersal zone.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The food system in the U.S. — largely built around speed and convenience — doesn’t exactly align with home-cooked meals leisurely shared with those you love.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026

"What if it's for your own convenience but no one will be harmed?"

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Critics have argued that this growing array of services contributes to rising college costs and an emphasis on comforts and conveniences rather than educational value.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

At the same time, daily conveniences are generally in easy walking distance for many residents.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

For example, hiring professional movers as opposed to using your friends, or buying lunch every day instead of brown-bagging it can feel like worthwhile conveniences.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2025

This also included adding modern conveniences like electricity, indoor plumbing, phone lines and air-conditioning.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2025

There are no phones, no computers, no cars, no kitchen appliances—virtually none of the conveniences that many people in the world take for granted.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Related Words

• accessibility
• accommodation
• advantage
• assistance
• availability
• benefit
• comfort
• ease
• enjoyment
• satisfaction
• service
• usefulness