expedient
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ex·pe·di·ent
(ĭk-spē′dē-ənt)adj.
1. Suitable or efficient for accomplishing a purpose: thought email was the most expedient way to communicate with distant relatives.
2. Convenient but based on a concern for self-interest rather than principle: changed his position when it was politically expedient.
3. Obsolete Speedy; expeditious.
n.
1. Something that is a means to an end, especially when based on self-interest: compromised only as an expedient to boost his career.
2. Something contrived or used to meet an urgent need: exhausted every expedient before filing a lawsuit.
[Middle English, from Latin expediēns, expedient-, present participle of expedīre, to make ready; see expedite.]
ex·pe′di·ent·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
expedient
(ɪkˈspiːdɪənt)adj
1. suitable to the circumstances; appropriate
2. inclined towards methods or means that are advantageous rather than fair or just
n
something suitable or appropriate, esp something used during an urgent situation
[C14: from Latin expediēns setting free; see expedite]
exˈpediently adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ex•pe•di•ent
(ɪkˈspi di ənt)adj.
1. fit or suitable for the purpose; proper; advisable: It is expedient that you go.
2. conducive to advantage; governed by self-interest; advantageous.
n. 3. a handy means to an end.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Latin expedient-, s. of expediēns, present participle of expedīre. See expedite, -ent]
ex•pe′di•ent•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | expedient - a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one means, way, agency - how a result is obtained or an end is achieved; "a means of control"; "an example is the best agency of instruction"; "the true way to success" crutch - anything that serves as an expedient; "he uses drugs as a psychological crutch" temporary expedient, improvisation - an unplanned expedient last resort, pis aller - an expedient adopted only in desperation; "`pis aller' is French for `worst going'" |
| Adj. | 1. | expedient - serving to promote your interest; "was merciful only when mercy was expedient" advantageous - giving an advantage; "a contract advantageous to our country"; "socially advantageous to entertain often" convenient - suited to your comfort or purpose or needs; "a convenient excuse for not going" politic - marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness; "it is neither polite nor politic to get into other people's quarrels"; "a politic decision"; "a politic manager"; "a politic old scoundrel"; "a shrewd and politic reply" useful, utile - being of use or service; "the girl felt motherly and useful"; "a useful job"; "a useful member of society" inexpedient - not suitable or advisable; "an inexpedient tactic" |
| 2. | expedient - appropriate to a purpose; practical; "in the circumstances it was expedient to express loyalty" politic - marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness; "it is neither polite nor politic to get into other people's quarrels"; "a politic decision"; "a politic manager"; "a politic old scoundrel"; "a shrewd and politic reply" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
expedient
noun
adjective
1. advantageous, effective, useful, profitable, fit, politic, appropriate, practical, suitable, helpful, proper, convenient, desirable, worthwhile, beneficial, pragmatic, prudent, advisable, utilitarian, judicious, opportune It might be expedient to keep this information to yourself.
advantageous ineffective, detrimental, inappropriate, harmful, futile, unwise, impractical, ill-advised, imprudent, inadvisable, disadvantageous, inexpedient
advantageous ineffective, detrimental, inappropriate, harmful, futile, unwise, impractical, ill-advised, imprudent, inadvisable, disadvantageous, inexpedient
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
expedient
adjective1. Suited to one's end or purpose:
2. Worth doing, especially for practical reasons:
Something used temporarily or reluctantly when other means are not available:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
مُلائِم، مُناسِب
hensigtsmæssigsmart
ajánlatos
hentugur; ráîlegur
tikslingas
ieteicamslietderīgsnoderīgs
işine gelen
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
expedient
n → Notbehelf m, → Hilfsmittel nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
expedient
(ikˈspiːdiənt) adjective convenient or advisable. It is not expedient to pay him what he has asked.
exˈpedience nounexˈpediency noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.