Word
inconvenience
Phoneticsin·con·ve·nience, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnkənˈvinjəns/
UK/ɪnkənvˈiːnɪəns/
Definitions
01a minor problem
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a small problem or trouble that makes something more difficult for you.
n. a state or instance of trouble, difficulty, or discomfort. Often used in formal apologies for service disruptions.
“The road repairs are a big inconvenience for people driving to work.”
“The sudden cancellation of the train caused considerable inconvenience to the commuters who had already purchased non-refundable tickets.”
Usage
Commonly used as an uncountable noun for the general state of trouble, or a countable noun for a specific event.
Antonyms
02to cause trouble
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to cause someone a small problem or to make them do extra work.
v. to cause trouble, discomfort, or extra work for someone. Transitive; typically used in polite or formal contexts.
“I hope it doesn't inconvenience you if we move the meeting to tomorrow.”
“The manager apologised profusely for having to inconvenience the guests by moving them to a different wing of the hotel during the renovation.”
Usage
Takes a direct object, usually a person or a group of people.
Real-World Examples
“Yet for many, myself included, the high temperatures brought nothing more than inconvenience – uncomfortable commutes, heat rash, less time outdoors.” “If the Z Fold 8 Ultra doesn’t quite make it all the way to bedtime, you won’t be terribly inconvenienced.” Etymology
From Middle English inconvenience, from Old French inconvenience (“misfortune, calamity, impropriety”) (compare French inconvenance (“impropriety”) and inconvénient (“inconvenience”)), from Late Latin inconvenientia (“inconsistency, incongruity”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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