facilitate
fuh-SILL-ih-tayt
/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
To make an action or process easy or easier.
In conflict, a facilitator helps the process move along without necessarily taking a side or making a judgment.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'facilis', meaning 'easy to do', which itself comes from 'facere' (to do or make). It entered English via the French 'faciliter'.
Word relationships
- expedite: Expedite specifically means to speed something up, while facilitate means to make it less difficult.
- hinder: Hinder means to create obstacles, the exact opposite of facilitating.
Commonly confused with
- mediate: Mediation is specifically for disputes; facilitation can be for any group process.
Word family
- facilitation (noun): The act of helping other people to deal with a process.
- facilitator (noun): A person or thing that makes an action or process easy or easier.
Collocations
- facilitate growth
- facilitate communication
- facilitate a discussion
Example sentences
- "The new software will facilitate faster communication between the remote teams." Technology
- "Her role was to facilitate the brainstorming session and ensure everyone had a chance to speak." Workshops
Memory hook
Facilitate sounds like 'facility'. A good facility makes your work easier. Facilitate = Make it easy.
When not to use
Do not use if you are actually making the decision yourself; you are only making the process easier.
Fun facts
- In chemistry, a 'facilitated' reaction is one that is helped along by a catalyst.
Explore more words
conducive, mediate, accommodate, shepherd, coordinate, foster
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