Adjective

(en adjective)

Easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.

* , vol.I, New York, 2001, p.243:

as he that is benumbed with cold sits shaking, that might relieve himself with a little exercise or stirring, do they complain, but will not use the facile and ready means to do themselves good […].

His facile disposition made him many friends.

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

* 1932 , (Duff Cooper), Talleyrand , Folio Society 2010, p. 54:

we can learn the impression that he made upon a stranger and a foreigner at this period, thanks to the facile pen of Fannu Burney.

* 1974 , (Graham Greene), (The Honorary Consul) , Pocket Books, New York, p.54:

"Discipline," Jorge Julio Saavedra was repeating, "is more necessary to me than to other more facile writers.

* 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 372:

A facile and persuasive writer, he also turned out countless newspaper articles on Russian aims in Central Asia and how best these could be thwarted.

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

* 2012 , (Chris Huhne), The Guardian , 3 May 2012:

There is a facile view that our green commitments – to tackling climate change, avoiding air and water pollution, protecting natural habitats – are an obstacle to growth. The message of the commodity markets is surely different.

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

Decarboxylation of beta-keto acids is facile ...

Adjective

(en adjective)

Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill.

Artificial; imitative.

Using or exhibiting much art, skill, or contrivance; dexterous; skillful.

Cunning; disposed to cunning indirectness of dealing; crafty; as, an artful boy. [The usual sense.]

*{{quote-news, year=2012

, date=June 29 , author=Kevin Mitchell , title=Roger Federer back from Wimbledon 2012 brink to beat Julien Benneteau , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=Where the Czech upstart Rosol, ranked 100 in the world, all but blew Nadal's head off with his blunderbuss in a fifth set of unrivalled intensity on Thursday night, Benneteau, a more artful citizen, used a rapier to hurt his vaunted foe before falling just short of a kill. In the end, it was he who staggered from the scene of the fight. }}