Amenity

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈmiːnəti/

Definitions

1. A feature that makes a place pleasant or attractive to live in or visit ; a facility offered to improve comfort or convenience, such as a swimming pool or gym
2. An element that adds to the enjoyment or character of a location ; a service or equipment provided for ease and benefit, like public restrooms or parking
3. A quality that enhances the appeal or usefulness of an environment ; a provided convenience designed to support comfort and satisfaction

Etymology: The modern sense of "amenity" as a useful facility, such as a pool or gym, is a long way from its Latin root, "amoenitas," which meant pleasantness or delightfulness. The word reached English in the Middle Ages as "amenite" and "amenyte," arriving partly through Old French "amenite" and partly directly from Latin. The Latin adjective it grows from, "amoenus," meant pleasant or delightful, and where that came from is unknown. For centuries the English word kept that sense of agreeable quality, so a place with amenity was simply a pleasing one. Its move toward concrete facilities came later, as people began to speak of the services and conveniences that made a location comfortable, and the word settled into that practical meaning.

Synonyms: facility, service, convenience, feature, luxury

Antonyms: disadvantage, inconvenience, hardship, detriment, liability