convenience
convenience — noun
1. how well something fits your needs or plans by being easy to use and not creatin
how well something fits your needs or plans by being easy to use and not creating extra problems or effort
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
What many people value most about the app is its convenience when booking train tickets.
Jiwoo loved the convenience of having a gym in her apartment building.
Yael appreciates the convenience of booking flights through a mobile app.
- inconvenience
the opposite state, causing difficulty or trouble
文法句型
the convenience of [something]
for convenience
for the convenience of [someone]
用法筆記
Usually uncountable. Often used in the phrases 'for convenience' or 'for the convenience of someone' to explain the reason behind an arrangement.
常見錯誤
2. a time or arrangement that fits well with what a particular person wants or need
a time or arrangement that fits well with what a particular person wants or needs, especially when offering them a choice
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.
For the convenience of our guests, checkout time has been extended to midday.
We can schedule the meeting at a time of your convenience next week.
Inês asked the hotel to send the bill at her convenience rather than immediately.
- leisure
suggests free time for relaxation rather than a scheduled appointment
- inconvenience
a time that causes difficulty or is unsuitable
文法句型
at someone's convenience
for someone's convenience
at a time of someone's convenience
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. a fixed formal expression used in letters and official requests to politely ask
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
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.
Students should collect their exam results from the office at their earliest convenience.
The dentist asked Eli to call back at his earliest convenience to reschedule the appointment.
All residents are requested to complete the survey at their earliest convenience.
文法句型
at your earliest convenience
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
❌ '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
an electric machine, appliance, or piece of equipment that makes a household task quicker, easier, or less physically demanding to do
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.
A dish-drying rack is a simple convenience that makes washing up much less messy.
The apartment includes modern conveniences like a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
Jenna considers her electric kettle the most useful convenience in her small kitchen.
文法句型
modern conveniences
household conveniences
a useful convenience
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
5. a toilet in a public place such as a park, station, or shopping centre, which an
a toilet in a public place such as a park, station, or shopping centre, which anyone is allowed to use
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.
Eli asked the shop assistant where the nearest public convenience was.
The town has installed new public conveniences near the market square.
Jessica was relieved to find a clean public convenience after a long coastal walk.
- public toilet
more direct and internationally understood
- restroom
standard American English term
- lavatory
very formal, often used on aeroplanes or trains
文法句型
public convenience
public conveniences
用法筆記
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.