adjective
facile
FAS-ul/ˈfæsl/
Performed with apparent ease and fluency.
The presenter gives a facile explanation of the simple one-step sketch.
Etymology
Latin facilis meant 'easy to do.' In the critical sense, apparent ease or fluency becomes a fault: something comes readily but lacks depth or careful thought.
In context
It must be admitted that Angelica had little sympathy. She had a certain amount of facile generosity.
More examples
- His facile delivery keeps the long speech lively.
- Her facile brushwork gives the portrait a sense of movement.
- The pianist's facile technique makes even the fastest runs sound smooth.
Forms
facile · more facile · most facile
facility noun — Ease and skill in doing something.
Similar words
- effortless
- Emphasizes lack of visible effort rather than fluent skill.
- fluent
- Emphasizes smooth, uninterrupted expression or movement rather than ease.
- skillful
- Emphasizes practiced ability without necessarily suggesting ease of performance.