Standard Lemma guide

expedience

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɛkˈspiː.dɪ.əns/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: IH0 K S P IY1 D IY0 AH0 N S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality of being fit or suitable to cause some desired end or the purpose intended; propriety or advisability under the particular circumstances of a case.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • April 11 1690, John Sharp, sermon preached at White-Hall to determine concerning the expedience of actions

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Speed, haste or urgency.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Something that is expedient.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

An expedition; enterprise; adventure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: opportunism, self-interest, self-seeking

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: selfishness

6

noun

Meaning 6

the quality of being suited to the end in view

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: expediency

Antonyms: inexpedience

Broader terms: advantage, vantage

History

Etymology

From Middle English expedience, from Old French expedience, from Late Latin expedientia, from Latin expediens.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: haast — speed, haste or urgency
  • Dutch: spoed — speed, haste or urgency
  • Spanish: rapidez — speed, haste or urgency
  • Spanish: urgencia — speed, haste or urgency
  • Spanish: priesa — speed, haste or urgency
  • Spanish: prisa — speed, haste or urgency