What does "convenience" mean?

1. (ease of use) the quality of being easy to use or useful for your needs. 2. (a helpful tool or service) something that makes your life easier or saves you time. 3. (a suitable time) a time that works well for you. 4. (public toilet) a public toilet.

How do you use "convenience"?

Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense. Commonly used in the plural form 'conveniences'. Frequently appears in the phrase 'at your earliest convenience'. Often used in the full phrase 'public convenience'.

convenience

US //kənˈvinjəns// UK //kənvˈiːnɪəns// con·ve·nience

1 ease of use (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the quality of being easy to use or useful for your needs.

the state or quality of being useful, easy, or suitable for a particular purpose without causing difficulty.

Example

I love the convenience of living so close to the train station.

Example

The modern consumer often prioritises convenience over price, leading to a significant rise in the popularity of pre-packaged meal kits.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense.
- inconvenience
- difficulty
2 a helpful tool or service (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something that makes your life easier or saves you time.

a device, service, or arrangement that contributes to an individual's comfort or ease of living.

Example

The apartment has all the modern conveniences, including a dishwasher and a dryer.

Example

The hotel provides various conveniences for business travellers, such as high-speed internet and a twenty-four-hour laundry service.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural form 'conveniences'.

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3 a suitable time (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

a time that works well for you.

a time or situation that is suitable or advantageous for someone.

Example

Please call me back at your earliest convenience to discuss the plan.

Example

The manager requested that the staff review the new safety protocols at their earliest convenience to ensure compliance before the audit.

Usage

Frequently appears in the phrase 'at your earliest convenience'.

Teacher's tip

This is a standard polite phrase in business emails meaning 'as soon as you can'.
- opportunity
- leisure
4 public toilet (n.)
C1 Advanced British English Formal

a public toilet.

a public lavatory or restroom facility.

Example

Is there a public convenience near the park entrance?

Example

The local council allocated funds to renovate the public conveniences in the town centre, citing the need for better accessibility for disabled visitors.

Usage

Often used in the full phrase 'public convenience'.

Teacher's tip

This is a very formal or slightly old-fashioned way to refer to a public toilet in the UK.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin convenientia, from conveniens (“suitable”), present participle of convenire (“to come together, suit”). Doublet of convenance.