Reading Theme:
Facility Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：building or equipment for a purpose (facility)
facility
/fəˈsɪləti/
n.
A place, building, or set of equipment that is built or provided for a particular purpose.
building or equipment for a purpose
➕
/ˈbɪldɪŋ ɔːr ɪˈkwɪpmənt fɔːr ə pɜːpəs/
n.
A physical place, building, or set of equipment specifically designed and made available for a particular function or activity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'facilitas' (easiness), from 'facil(is)' (easy) + '-itas' (-ity).
💡 Mnemonic
FACILITY sounds like a FACTORY full of activities - a place (factory) for doing things easily.
📖 Example
The new school has a fantastic facility with a swimming pool and a climbing wall.
The new school boasts an excellent building with a swimming pool and a climbing wall.
🔗 Collocations
sports facility – a place for athletic activities
medical facility – a building for healthcare services
storage facility – a place designed for keeping goods
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
privation (n.) – a state lacking basic facilities or necessities
🌱 Derivatives
facilitate (v.) – to make an action or process easier
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'facilitas' (easiness, readiness), entering English via Old French 'facilité'. Originally signified 'easiness' or 'absence of difficulty', a core sense that paved the way for its modern meanings of a place enabling easy action or a personal aptitude.
Meaning 2：natural ability or ease (facility)
facility
/fəˈsɪləti/
n.
A natural ability to do something easily and well, especially a skill like learning languages.
natural ability or ease
➕
/ˈnætʃrəl əˈbɪləti ɔːr iːz/
n.
A natural talent or skill that allows someone to perform a particular task with effortless competence and little apparent difficulty.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She has a remarkable facility for picking up new languages; she can speak five fluently.
She possesses an exceptional natural ability for acquiring new languages; she can speak five fluently.
🔗 Collocations
facility with – ease and skill in using something
facility for – a natural talent for doing something
🔄 Synonyms
aptitude (n.) – a natural ability to do something
proficiency (n.) – a high degree of skill
dexterity (n.) – skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands
🚫 Antonyms
ineptitude (n.) – lack of skill or ability
awkwardness (n.) – lack of grace or ease in movement or performance
🌱 Derivatives
facilitous (adj.) – (rare) done with or characterized by facility; easy
Wordbook
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