# facile

/ˈfæsəɫ/ (US) · /fˈæsaɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/facile
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

too easy or too simple, so it does not feel serious or thoughtful. You use it for answers or wins that look quick but miss the real difficulty.

For teachers: achieved with little effort or presented without serious thought or depth. Often describes explanations, solutions, or victories that appear easy while ignoring complexity.

## Examples

- He gives a facile answer to every hard question.
- The manager offers a facile solution to the staffing crisis without addressing pay or workload.
- The critic dismissed the novel's facile ending, where years of moral conflict dissolve into a sudden reconciliation that feels unearned.

## Synonyms

superficial, simplistic, shallow, glib

## Antonyms

thoughtful, thorough, deep

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often carries a critical tone.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.