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

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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

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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

And if spending a little extra on a convenience ingredient keeps me from placing an impulsive takeout order?

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

The company is also targeting growth in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, convenience stores and aerospace.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

"For Nithya to align herself with the local DSA chapter was a bit of a matter of convenience," Dreier said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

L.A.’s first horror- and sci-fi-themed convenience store stocks Halloween tricks and treats seen in classic scary movies and some that draw on childhood nostalgia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

“There are so many inquisitive people and institutions abounding,” said Arobin, “that one is really forced as a matter of convenience these days to assume the virtue of an occupation if he has it not.”

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Friends and neighbors were in the dark for weeks with no refrigeration or modern conveniences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

“Who doesn’t want to move to a beautiful, wild area and have all the conveniences of the city? But it really strains the wildland-urban interface.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

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

The tradeoff for tight quarters is proximity to conveniences and culture not generally found in far-flung places.

From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2026

Jumbled piles of debris that had once been fixtures and conveniences inside the prison lay scattered all over the grounds.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

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Related Words

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

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