incommodity
Very LowFormal, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
Something inconvenient or a cause of discomfort.
A specific instance or condition of inconvenience, disadvantage, or trouble; a lack of comfort or suitability.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is now considered archaic and is primarily encountered in older literary or legal texts. It is almost always a countable noun referring to specific inconveniences, not a general state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None. The word is equally archaic and obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties share the same formal, old-fashioned connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use for both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer from an incommoditythe incommodity of [noun phrase]an incommodity for [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To put to incommodity (archaic: to inconvenience someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business language.
Academic
Only in historical or philological studies discussing older texts.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in any modern technical register.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The roadworks will incommodity local residents for weeks. (archaic use)
American English
- The new regulations incommodity the flow of trade. (archaic use)
adjective
British English
- The incommodious chamber was damp and cold. (Note: the adjective is 'incommodious', not 'incommodity')
American English
- They were given an incommodious space to work in. (Note: the adjective is 'incommodious', not 'incommodity')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lack of a lift was a great incommodity for the elderly residents.
- The historian noted the incommodities of travel in the 18th century, including poor roads and frequent delays.
- While the aesthetic was pleasing, the design's fundamental incommodity rendered it impractical for daily use.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'inconvenience' and remember that 'incommodity' is its much older, less common sibling. The 'in-' prefix means 'not', and '-commodity' relates to 'commodious' (comfortable). So, it's a 'non-comfort'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCONVENIENCE IS A BURDEN / AN OBSTACLE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'commodity' (товар). The Russian word 'неудобство' is the correct conceptual equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a mass noun (e.g., 'much incommodity'). It is countable. / Using it in modern contexts where 'inconvenience' is expected.
Practice
Quiz
'Incommodity' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic word. The modern equivalent is 'inconvenience'.
They are synonyms, but 'incommodity' is obsolete and formal, while 'inconvenience' is standard modern English.
Historically, the verb 'incommodity' existed but is now entirely obsolete. The modern verb is 'inconvenience'.
The related adjective is 'incommodious', meaning 'uncomfortably small or cramped'.