inconvenient
gb/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt/ us/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
causing trouble or difficulty
If something is inconvenient, it makes life harder or causes problems.
Usage pattern:
It is inconvenient (for [someone]) (to [do something]).
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse it with 'uncomfortable' (physical feeling). 'Inconvenient' usually means it causes practical problems.
Synonyms
awkward (Often suggests the situation is difficult or embarrassing as well as impractical.)
|
problematic (More formal; emphasizes that something creates problems.)
|
unhelpful (Suggests it does not help, but is weaker than 'inconvenient'.)
Antonyms
convenient (Easy to do, use, or deal with.)
|
helpful (Provides help rather than creating extra effort.)
Collocations
highly inconvenient
|a bit inconvenient
|quite inconvenient
|extremely inconvenient
|inconvenient for someone
|inconvenient to do something
|an inconvenient situation
|an inconvenient delay
|an inconvenient change
|an inconvenient arrangement
Themes
daily_life
|work
|problems
Examples
- It’s inconvenient to change the plan at the last minute.
- The road closure is inconvenient for commuters.
- Losing your ID is inconvenient, but it’s easy to replace.
Learner examples
- This time is inconvenient for me.
- It is inconvenient to travel today.
adjective
B2
property
2
happening at a bad time
An inconvenient time is a bad time to do something.
Usage pattern:
an inconvenient time/moment; (at) an inconvenient hour
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'inconvenient' for strong emotion; in this sense it mainly means 'not a good time'.
Synonyms
untimely (More formal; emphasizes poor timing, often unexpectedly.)
|
badly timed (Direct and common; focuses on timing rather than general difficulty.)
Antonyms
timely (Happening at a useful or appropriate time.)
|
convenient (Suitably timed and easy to deal with.)
Collocations
an inconvenient time
|an inconvenient moment
|an inconvenient hour
|a rather inconvenient time
|inconvenient timing
|inconveniently late
|inconveniently early
|at an inconvenient time
|an inconvenient interruption
|an inconvenient call
Themes
time
|daily_life
|communication
Examples
- She chose an inconvenient moment to bring up the issue.
- I’m sorry to call so late—it’s probably inconvenient.
- The meeting time is inconvenient for anyone with childcare.
Learner examples
- Is this an inconvenient time?
- Monday morning is inconvenient for me.
adjective
B2
property
3
hard to reach or access
An inconvenient place is difficult to get to or use.
Usage pattern:
an inconvenient location/place; inconvenient to get to/reach
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'inconvenient' when they mean 'dangerous' or 'far'. 'Inconvenient' focuses on difficulty, not risk.
Synonyms
out of the way (Informal; emphasizes that it is not on the usual route.)
|
hard to reach (Plain and direct; focuses on physical access.)
Antonyms
accessible (Easy to reach, enter, or use.)
|
convenient (Well located or easy to get to.)
Collocations
an inconvenient location
|an inconvenient place
|inconvenient access
|inconvenient to reach
|inconvenient to get to
|inconvenient for public transport
|inconveniently located
|an inconvenient route
|inconvenient distance
|inconvenient parking
Themes
travel
|places
|daily_life
Examples
- The hotel is clean, but the location is inconvenient without a car.
- Our old office was inconvenient to reach by bus.
- The charging port is in an inconvenient spot.
Learner examples
- This shop is inconvenient to get to.
- The station is inconveniently located.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inconvenient
IPA
GB/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt/
US/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt/
Syllables & stress
in - con - veni - ent (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (veni)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inconvenient
Word family
Core family
inconvenience
noun B1
inconveniently
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
an inconvenient question
1/ən ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
a question hard to answer
A question that makes someone uncomfortable because it is difficult to answer.
Examples
- The interviewer asked a few inconvenient questions about the missing funds.
- She raised an inconvenient question that the committee had avoided for months.
- It’s an inconvenient question, but we need to answer it honestly.
an inconvenient truth
1/ən ˌɪŋkənvˈinjənt tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
a fact people dislike
A true fact that causes trouble for someone.
Examples
- The inconvenient truth is that the project is over budget.
- He kept repeating an inconvenient truth that nobody wanted to discuss.
- It’s an inconvenient truth about the industry that waste is hard to avoid.