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

Dick Wood, the former president, CEO and chairman who helped build Wawa into a convenience and gas-station giant, died on July 10 at age 88.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Wazne, one of Berri Brothers’ owners, said using low prices to keep a constant flow of cost-conscious customers helps his business by inflating footfall to the stands’ convenience stores.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

If I had to guess, your mom is making assumptions partly out of convenience and avoidance.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

They support industries such as agriculture, electric utilities and fuel and convenience stores.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

The men were standing in front of a shoe store, a liquor store, and a convenience store.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Too often, patients are looking for conveniences like extra time on tests or permission to keep a pet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 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

It is calling for longer-term funding pledges from central government that would allow authorities to "plan the transformation, rather than the closure, of facilities" and even restore lost conveniences.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2025

Mom said we should be thankful because we had it better than pioneers, who didn’t have modern conveniences like window glass and cast-iron stoves.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

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