convenience
Americannoun
-
the quality of being convenient; suitability.
- Synonyms:
- availability, handiness, utility
-
anything that saves or simplifies work, adds to one's ease or comfort, etc., as an appliance, utensil, or the like.
-
a convenient situation or time.
at your convenience.
-
advantage or accommodation.
a shelter for the convenience of travelers.
-
Chiefly British. water closet.
adjective
noun
-
the state or quality of being suitable or opportune
the convenience of the hour
-
a convenient time or situation
-
at a time suitable to you
-
formal as soon as possible
-
usefulness, comfort, or facility
-
an object that is particularly useful, esp a labour-saving device
-
euphemistic a lavatory, esp a public one
-
to take advantage of; impose upon
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.
Vocabulary lists containing convenience
Trumps
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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A Single Shard
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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.
They and other convenience stores play a vital role in earthquakes, serving as disaster-relief hubs during emergencies, distributing supplies and fresh water.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
He is known as the "father of the convenience store" in Japan.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
The planned closures come after Morrisons said last year it was closing 52 cafes and 17 convenience stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Motivated by price, convenience, a desire for anonymity, or wariness of interacting with a clinician, some patients buy medication online from a number of online vendors selling drugs manufactured in India.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
She had let down the brown shining waterfall of her hair, which was usually kept braided in pigtails for convenience in hunting and cookery, and with the falling waves of this she framed his head.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
