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conveniens

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word conveniens

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
96–55 BC, Lucretius
Ultimate origin
Latin conveniō
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin conveniens
English convenient

Forms

conveniēns (genitive convenientis; comparative convenientior, superlative convenientissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of conveniō (“to come together; to agree, suit”), used as an adjective.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first author is Lucretius.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it meant fitting or suited to something, usually with a dative: Livy has a speech suited to the occasion, Ovid a remedy not suited to everyone.[1] Cicero applies it to the harmonious, consistent motion of the stars and calls one part of equity conveniens, the part based on agreement, beside law and long custom.[1] Ovid also uses it of a person, agreeable, compliant.[1]

Ecclesiastical Latin kept it in the sense “agreeing, coming together”.[5] English borrowed it in the late 14th century as convenient, at first “fit, suitable, proper”.[3]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it.[4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of consistent motion and of equity based on agreement.[1][4]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of a compliant woman.[1][4]
  • late 14th century – Borrowed into English as convenient.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Appropriate, fitting, suitable (to something).[1][2]
  2. Internally consistent, harmonious.[1]
  3. Based on agreement, agreed, conventional.[1]
  4. Agreeable, compliant.[1]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Agreeing, coming together.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson

Borrowed into

Cite this entry

“Conveniens.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/conveniens. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·