convenient

adjective con·ve·nient \ kən-ˈvēn-yənt \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of convenient

1 obsolete : suitable, proper

2 a : suited to personal comfort or to easy performance

meeting at a convenient time

b : suited to a particular situation

a convenient excuse

c : affording accommodation or advantage

found it convenient to deal with both problems at the same time

3 : being near at hand : close

a location convenient to the train station

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conveniently

adverb

See convenient defined for English-language learners

See convenient defined for kids

Examples of convenient in a Sentence

"You know, you have a very convenient way, Alsi, of forgetting what happened two minutes ago." —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, (2000) 2001
It was more convenient to take my meals in bed, where all I had to do was push away my tray with its uneaten food and fall back upon my pillows … —Stanley Elkin, Harper's, January 1993
The Horses I would have you send to some good pasture … if you can find one convenient. —George Washington 10 May 1756, in The Papers of George Washington, 1984
… at last, after a dreadful struggle in a difficult place where there seemed to be no convenient branches at all, he got near the top. —J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, 1937
When is a convenient time for you to meet?
The controls are located in a convenient spot on the dashboard.
It might be more convenient to use a calculator, rather than adding the numbers yourself.
a convenient method of cleaning windows
Schools, churches, and stores are all convenient from here.
The power failure was a convenient excuse to leave work early.
The economic recession gave lawmakers a convenient pretext for passing the bill.

Recent Examples of convenient from the Web

After having her first daughter, Duckworth introduced legislation that would ensure safe, clean and convenient lactation rooms in large- and medium-sized airports.

— emmarie huetteman, Washington Post, "Make Room For Babies: After Giving Birth, Duckworth Presses Senate To Bend Rules," 11 Apr. 2018
These are a stylish and convenient way to hydrate more eco-consciously, as the bottle is made from BPA-free, shatterproof glass and bamboo.

— banu ibrahim, CNN Underscored, "7 simple swaps could help save the environment," 2 Apr. 2018
The statement added that the repairs are necessary to extend the life of the roadway and provide safe and convenient travel for tollway customers.

— staff report, Lake County News-Sun, "More Tri-State lane closures scheduled to start this weekend north of Gurnee," 23 Mar. 2018
Fast, easy and convenient is what shoppers want and the driving force behind the newest shopping tools.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Kroger's 'Scan, Bag, Go' aims to get you in and out quickly," 23 Mar. 2018
Changing the way we as a community manage our shopping, pet waste, and household waste is not going to be easy or convenient.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Should Beverly ban the retail use of plastic bags?," 16 Mar. 2018
It is designed to be a safe and convenient place where children and families can deescalate before resuming their zoo visit, Becker said.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Brookfield Zoo seeks to be more inclusive to those with disabilities, special needs," 9 Mar. 2018
The 34-year-old city worker says his Waltower Lofts apartment at Eighth and Walnut was once affordable, convenient and diverse.

— jeneé osterheldt, kansascity, "Don't be blinded by the Lights: Luxury living drives everyday people out of downtown | The Kansas City Star," 9 Mar. 2018
Central Market Fort Worth has launched Central Market Curbside, the company’s first-ever quick and convenient way to pick up groceries without customers leaving their vehicle.

— celestina blok, star-telegram, "Restaurant news for March," 8 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convenient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of convenient

Middle English, from Latin convenient-, conveniens, from present participle of convenire to assemble, come together, be suitable, from com- + venire to come — more at come

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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