amenity
uh-MEN-ih-tee
/əˈmɛnɪti/
A desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place.
In sports venues, amenities include things like Wi-Fi, luxury suites, high-quality food, or clean restrooms.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'amoenitas', meaning 'pleasantness'. It originally referred to the pleasantness of a climate or a landscape before being applied to human-made comforts.
Word relationships
- facility: A facility is the place itself; an amenity is the 'extra' feature that makes it pleasant.
Collocations
- modern amenity
- basic amenity
- local amenity
- amenity kit
Example sentences
- "The new arena offers every modern amenity, from heated seats to in-seat food delivery." Stadium review.
- "The local community was promised new sports amenities as part of the redevelopment project." Urban development.
Memory hook
An 'amenity' makes a place 'amenable' (pleasant) to stay in. Amenity = Pleasant extra.
When not to use
Don't use for essential equipment like the ball or the goalposts.
Fun facts
- In the hotel industry, the little soaps and shampoos are officially called 'guest amenities'.
Related words
Explore more words
Amenities, complimentary, walkable, ancillary, perks, ornamental
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