Expedient
/ɪkˈspiːdiənt/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
As an adjective, expedient describes a method or action that helps achieve a goal quickly and with little trouble, even if it may not be the most fair or correct way. As a noun, it means a tool or plan that helps solve a problem or reach a goal in a practical way.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Adjective: Useful and convenient for a particular purpose, often quick but not always morally right
- •It was expedient to accept the offer to avoid a long argument.
- •The company took expedient measures to reduce costs quickly.
- •Sometimes an expedient solution is necessary in emergencies.
Noun: A means or method used to achieve a goal, often quickly or conveniently
- •They found an expedient to fix the machine until a proper repair could be done.
- •Using a taxi was an expedient to reach the airport on time.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "expedient" like "quick" or "easy," but with a note that it may not be the best or most honest way to do something
- ✓Picture someone taking a shortcut on a path to save time, even if it’s not the safest or nicest route
- ✓It's the feeling when you do what works fast, like fixing a problem temporarily instead of a perfect fix
- ✓Sounds like "ex-PEED-ee-ent" → imagine "speed" inside the word, meaning fast or quick action
- ✓Think of a story where a character uses a clever trick to solve a problem fast, even if it’s not the most honest way
- ✓NOT like "best" or "right" (which are the best choices), "expedient" focuses on what is most useful or quick, not necessarily the best morally
- ✓NOT like "slow" or "careful"—expedient means acting fast and practically
- ✓NOT like "ideal" (perfect), expedient is often a practical but temporary or less perfect choice
Try Other Words
- •Convenient: easy to use or helpful (Use when the focus is on ease without moral or quality judgment)
- •Practical: useful and effective in real situations (Use when emphasizing usefulness rather than speed)
- •Advantageous: giving a good result or benefit (Use when focusing on benefit rather than speed or morality)
- •Useful: able to help or do a job (Use in general when no speed or moral question is involved)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "ex-" (out, thoroughly) + root "ped" from Latin "pes, pedis" meaning foot (related to movement) + suffix "-ient" (adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Latin "expedientem" meaning "setting free the feet," originally meaning making progress easy or freeing the way
- •Historical development: Originally about making travel easy or freeing the feet, later used for anything that helps progress or success quickly
- •Modern usage: Used to describe actions or methods that are practical and fast, sometimes with a hint they are not the best or most honest choice
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you chose an expedient solution instead of the best one? What happened?
•How do you decide when it is okay to use an expedient method instead of a perfect or ideal one?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the deadline was near, they chose an expedient way to ___ the project quickly.
2.An expedient decision may save time but sometimes causes ___ problems later.
3.Using an expedient method can be helpful in emergencies but might not be the most ___ choice.
4.The manager found an expedient ___ to solve the staffing issue temporarily.
5.Sometimes, people take the most expedient path because it requires less ___ and effort.
6.The lawyer advised an expedient solution that was ___ but not fully fair.
7.Choosing an expedient option often means focusing more on ___ than on long-term results.