facilitate
fuh-SIL-ih-tayt
/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
To make an action or process easy or easier.
In teaching, it means the educator acts as a guide rather than a lecturer, helping students discover knowledge for themselves.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'facilis', meaning 'easy to do', which itself comes from 'facere' (to do or make). To facilitate is literally to 'make it doable'.
Word relationships
- ease: Ease is more general; facilitate is often used for structured processes or social interactions.
- hinder: Hinder means to make a process more difficult or to stop it.
Word family
- facilitator (noun): A person who helps a group understand their common objectives.
- facilitation (noun): The act of making something easier.
Collocations
- facilitate a discussion
- facilitate growth
- facilitate change
Example sentences
- "The teacher's role is to facilitate learning, not just to deliver a lecture." The role of a modern educator.
Memory hook
Think of a 'facility' (a building that makes a task easy to perform). To facilitate is to provide that ease. Make it easy.
When not to use
Don't use it when you are doing the work for someone; it means making the process easier for them to do it.
Fun facts
- The word 'facile' comes from the same root but often has a negative connotation of being 'too easy' or 'superficial'.
Explore more words
conducive, mediate, accommodate, shepherd, coordinate, foster
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