inconvenient
- 01 B1 Intermediate
causing trouble or extra work because it is not easy to do or does not happen at a good time.
causing difficulty, discomfort, or annoyance; specifically, not suited to one's needs, purposes, or comfort.
Simple“It is very inconvenient that the bank closes just before I finish work.”
In context“The sudden cancellation of the rail service was highly inconvenient for the commuters who had already arrived at the platform for the morning rush.”
UsageOften used to describe times, locations, or administrative requirements.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse this with 'uncomfortable'. Remind them that 'inconvenient' is about logistics and timing, while 'uncomfortable' is about physical or emotional feelings.
SynonymsAntonyms
Borrowed from Middle French inconvenient, from Latin inconvenientem.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.