convenience

American  

[kuhn-veen-yuhns] / kənˈvin yəns /

noun

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.

---

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

---

convenience Idioms  

1. see at one's convenience.

---

Etymology

Origin of convenience

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

The rise of the hideaway was well timed as consumers have been cutting back on snack purchases after filling up at the pump, hitting convenience store sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The S&P 500 is getting a bit of a shake-up later this week, as an operator of convenience stores joins the benchmark index.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Metro kiosk, which offers the supposed convenience of paying public transit fare to a machine.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Apart from bottled water and beverages, PET packaging is also used extensively in industries like beauty, pharmaceuticals and even in restaurants and food delivery as customers seek out convenience and affordability.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Charlie had a job at the APlus, which Dad said was “too weird,” seeing he got a job at a convenience store when he was in high school, too.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

Related Words

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