convenience

convenience — noun

1. how well something fits your needs or plans by being easy to use and not creatin

1.nounB1
Definition

how well something fits your needs or plans by being easy to use and not creating extra problems or effort

Example

The convenience of online banking means Manuela can pay her bills at any hour.

the convenience of [something]: common structure

For convenience, Selim chose the flat near his office, even though it was more expensive.

for convenience: set phrase at start of clause

Common collocations
  • for convenience
  • for the convenience of
  • the convenience of something
  • offer convenience
  • provide convenience
Synonyms
  • ease

    focuses on lack of difficulty, not suitability; more general

  • comfort

    emphasises physical well-being or a relaxed state rather than practicality

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the convenience of [something]

for convenience

for the convenience of [someone]

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Often used in the phrases 'for convenience' or 'for the convenience of someone' to explain the reason behind an arrangement.

Common Mistakes

This phone is convenience.
This phone is convenient.
'convenience' is a noun; 'convenient' is the adjective form.

2. a time or arrangement that fits well with what a particular person wants or need

2.nounB1
Definition

a time or arrangement that fits well with what a particular person wants or needs, especially when offering them a choice

Example

Please visit the office at your convenience to pick up your new passport.

at your convenience: polite offer of choice

Jude arranged the home visit at a time that suited his mother's convenience.

Common collocations
  • at your convenience
  • at someone's convenience
  • for the convenience of
  • at a time of convenience
Synonyms
  • leisure

    suggests free time for relaxation rather than a scheduled appointment

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

at someone's convenience

for someone's convenience

at a time of someone's convenience

Usage Note

Commonly used in the fixed phrases 'at someone's convenience' and 'for someone's convenience'. The phrase 'at your earliest convenience' belongs to a separate sense (sense 3) with a more urgent tone.

Common Mistakes

Call me at your convenience time.
Call me at your convenience.
'convenience' already implies a suitable time; adding 'time' is redundant.

3. a fixed formal expression used in letters and official requests to politely ask

3.nounB2
Definition

a fixed formal expression used in letters and official requests to politely ask someone to complete a task when they first get the opportunity to do so

Example

Please return the signed documents at your earliest convenience so we can process the order.

at your earliest convenience: fixed formal phrase meaning 'as soon as possible'

The committee asked members to submit their suggestions at their earliest convenience.

Common collocations
  • at your earliest convenience

Grammar Patterns

at your earliest convenience

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'at your earliest convenience'. Never used in casual conversation or shortened to 'at your convenience' with the same meaning — 'earliest' adds a sense of urgency that 'at your convenience' does not carry.

Common Mistakes

Please reply at your convenience earliest.
Please reply at your earliest convenience.
the adjective 'earliest' must come before 'convenience', not after.

❌ 'I'll do it at my earliest convenience.' (when speaking casually to a friend) — this phrase is too formal for everyday conversation; use 'as soon as I can' instead.

4. an electric machine, appliance, or piece of equipment that makes a household tas

4.nounB2
Definition

an electric machine, appliance, or piece of equipment that makes a household task quicker, easier, or less physically demanding to do

Example

The kitchen is equipped with modern conveniences such as a dishwasher and a microwave.

modern conveniences: common collocation for household appliances

James bought a food processor, a convenience that saves hours of chopping each week.

Common collocations
  • modern convenience
  • household convenience
  • electric convenience
  • useful convenience
  • kitchen convenience
Synonyms
  • appliance

    specifically an electrical machine for household tasks; more technical

  • gadget

    informal, usually a small tool or device with a clever design

Grammar Patterns

modern conveniences

household conveniences

a useful convenience

Usage Note

Often used in the plural ('conveniences') to list several household appliances. Frequently paired with 'modern' or 'household' as in 'modern conveniences' or 'household conveniences'. Not used for large infrastructure like central heating — those are 'amenities'.

Common Mistakes

The store sells home conveniences like chairs and tables.
The store sells home conveniences like washing machines and microwaves.
'conveniences' in this sense refers to labour-saving electrical appliances, not general furniture.

5. a toilet in a public place such as a park, station, or shopping centre, which an

5.nounB2
Definition

a toilet in a public place such as a park, station, or shopping centre, which anyone is allowed to use

Example

There is a public convenience at the entrance to the city park.

public convenience: British English term for a public toilet

The nearest public conveniences are located next to the bus station.

Common collocations
  • public convenience
  • public conveniences
  • nearest convenience
Synonyms
  • public toilet

    more direct and internationally understood

  • restroom

    standard American English term

  • lavatory

    very formal, often used on aeroplanes or trains

Grammar Patterns

public convenience

public conveniences

Usage Note

Chiefly British English. Often used in the plural form 'public conveniences' to refer to a building or block of toilets. In American English, 'restroom' or 'public restroom' is the common equivalent. This sense always requires the modifier 'public' — using 'convenience' alone would be misunderstood.

Common Mistakes

Where is the convenience?' (meaning a toilet)
Where is the public convenience?
the word 'public' is needed to make the meaning clear; 'convenience' alone refers to a useful device (sense 4).
Idioms

at somebody’s convenience

idiom

At a time or place that works well for that person.

Please return the book at your convenience, no rush.

Could you review my report at your convenience this week?

at your earliest convenience

idiom

As soon as you are able to do something.

Please send the signed contract at your earliest convenience.

Could you reply to this email at your earliest convenience?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These three words overlap but differ in focus. 'Convenience' is about a task or situation being well-suited to your needs — it saves you time, effort, or trouble. For example, the convenience of a smartphone means you can do many things from one device. 'Ease' is narrower: it refers only to the absence of difficulty. A task can be easy (done with ease) without being convenient if the time or place is wrong. 'Comfort' is about physical or mental well-being and relaxation. A sofa offers comfort, not convenience. Use 'convenience' when the key idea is fit and efficiency ('the convenience of online shopping'), 'ease' when the focus is low difficulty ('passed the test with ease'), and 'comfort' when the focus is pleasure or relaxation ('slept in the comfort of a soft bed').

convenience ↗ease ↗comfort ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • convenience store
  • convenience food
  • convenience sampling

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'convenience' comes from Latin 'convenientia', meaning 'a coming together, harmony, or agreement'. This noun was formed from the verb 'convenire' — 'to come together' or 'be suitable'. The Latin roots are 'com-' (together) and 'venire' (to come). The word entered English through Old French in the late 1300s, initially carrying the idea of agreement or fitness. Over time, the meaning shifted from this abstract sense of 'suitability' to more concrete uses: by the 1700s, 'convenience' could refer to a useful object or device, and by the 1800s, the polite term 'public convenience' for a public toilet was in use.