expedient

CEFRC1

/ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Useful and practical for achieving a quick result.

  2. 02

    noun

    A practical action used to solve a problem.

Examples

  • Most people, faced with a decision, will choose the most expedient option.

  • Never lie if the truth is more expedient.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Affording short-term benefit, often at the expense of the long-term.

  2. Governed by self-interest, often short-term self-interest.

  3. Suitable to effect some desired end or the purpose intended.

More examples

In context

  • Nothing but the right can ever be the expedient, since that can never be true expediency which would sacrifice a greater good to a less.

  • Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter willnot come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

  • To secure such a market, there is no other expedient, than to promote manufacturing establishments.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Though morally questionable, the blank solution saved the company from bankruptcy.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English expedient, from Old French expedient, from Latin expediens (stem expedient-), present participle of expedire (“to bring forward, to dispatch, to expedite; impers. to be profitable, serviceable, advantageous, expedient”), from ex (“out”) + pēs (“foot, hoof”).