Definition of "facile" in English

adjective

1. (now usually derogatory) Easy; contemptibly easy.

2. (now rare) Amiable, flexible, easy to get along with.

   • His facile disposition made him many friends.

3. Effortless, fluent (of work, abilities etc.).

   • Her writing was facile and articulate.

4. Lazy, simplistic, superficial (especially of explanations, discussions etc.).

   • He arrived with a facile understanding of her works.

5. (chemistry) Of a reaction or other process, taking place readily.

   • Decarboxylation of beta-keto acids is facile.