Definitions for facile
ˈfæs ɪl; esp. Brit. -aɪlfacile

Princeton's WordNet(2.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. facileadjective

   arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth

   "too facile a solution for so complex a problem"

2. facileadjective

   performing adroitly and without effort

   "a facile hand"

3. eloquent, facile, fluent, silver, silver-tongued, smooth-spokenadjective

   expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively

   "able to dazzle with his facile tongue"; "silver speech"

Wiktionary(4.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. facileadjective

   Easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.

2. facileadjective

   Amiable, flexible, easy to get along with.

   His facile disposition made him many friends.

3. facileadjective

   Effortless, fluent (of work, abilities etc.).

4. facileadjective

   Lazy, simplistic (especially of explanations, discussions etc.).

5. facileadjective

   Of a reaction or other process, taking place readily.

   Decarboxylation of beta-keto acids is facile...

6. Etymology: From facile, from facilis, from.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Facileadjective

   Etymology: facile, French; facilis, Latin.

   1. Easy; not difficult; performable or attainable with little labour.

   Then also those poets, which are now counted most hard, will be both facile and pleasant. John Milton, on Education.

   To confine the imagination is as facile a performance as the Goteham’s design of hedging in the cuckoo. Joseph Glanvill, Sceps.

   By dividing it into parts so distinct, the order in which they shall find each disposed, will render the work facile and delightful. John Evelyn, Kalendar.

   This may at first seem perplexed with many difficulties, yet many things may be suggested to make it more facile and commodious. John Wilkins, Math. Magic.

   2. Easily surmountable; easily conquerable.

   The facile gates of hell too slightly barr’d. John Milton, P. Lost.

   3. Easy of access or converse; not haughty; not supercilious; not austere.

   I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet,
   Hating that solemn vice of greatness, pride;
   I meant each softest virtue there should meet,
   Fit in that softer bosom to reside. Ben Jonson, Epigrams.

   Raphael now, to Adam’s doubt propos’d,
   Benevolent and facile, thus reply’d. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

   4. Pliant; flexible; easily persuaded to good or bad; ductile to a fault.

   Too facile then, thou did’st not much gainsay;
   Nay did’st permit, approve, and fair dismiss. John Milton, P. Lost.

   Since Adam and his facile consort Eve
   Lost Paradise, deceiv’d by me. John Milton, Paradise Regain’d.

   Some men are of that facile temper, that they are wrought upon by every object they converse with, whom any affectionate discourse, or serious sermon, or any notable accident, shall put into a fit of religion, which yet usually lasts no longer than till somewhat else comes in their way. Edmund Calamy.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Facileadjective

   easy to be done or performed: not difficult; performable or attainable with little labor

2. Facileadjective

   easy to be surmounted or removed; easily conquerable; readily mastered

3. Facileadjective

   easy of access or converse; mild; courteous; not haughty, austere, or distant; affable; complaisant

4. Facileadjective

   easily persuaded to good or bad; yielding; ductile to a fault; pliant; flexible

5. Facileadjective

   ready; quick; expert; as, he is facile in expedients; he wields a facile pen

6. Etymology: [L. facilis, prop., capable of being done or made, hence, facile, easy, fr. facere to make, do: cf. F. facile. Srr Fact, and cf. Faculty.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Facile

   fas′il, adj. easily persuaded: affable: yielding: easy of access or accomplishment: courteous: easy.—n. Fac′ileness.—v.t. Facil′itāte, to make easy: to lessen difficulty.—ns. Facilitā′tion; Facil′ity, quality of being facile; dexterity: easiness to be persuaded: pliancy: easiness of access: affability: (Scots law) a condition of mental weakness short of idiocy, but such as makes a person easily persuaded to do deeds to his own prejudice:—pl. Facil′ities, means that render anything easily done. [Fr.,—L. facilis, easy—facĕre, to do.]

How to pronounce facile?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say facile in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of facile in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of facile in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of facile in a Sentence

1. Steve Herz:

   Countries that don't want an outcome can no longer make a facile argument that they will just lose market share to China.

2. Charles de LEUSSE:

   Easy to break mirror; less easy to see oneself. (Facile de casser le miroir; - Moins facile de s’y voir.)

3. Chris Cillizza:

   It’s facile. It shows an actual lack of understanding of reality tv( ca n’t believe I ’m typing that). It’s mediocre. It’s a time when viewers need to understand what’s going on at the highest levels of [ government ].

Popularity rank by frequency of use