easy

[ ee-zee ]

adjective

, eas·i·er [ee, -zee-er], eas·i·est [ee, -zee-ist].

1. not hard or difficult; requiring no great labor or effort:

   a book that is easy to read; an easy victory.

   Antonyms: difficult

2. free from pain, discomfort, worry, or care:

   He led an easy life.

   Synonyms: untroubled, quiet, contented, comfortable, tranquil

   Antonyms: agitated

3. providing or conducive to ease or comfort; comfortable:

   an easy stance; an easy relationship.

   Antonyms: uncomfortable

4. fond of or given to ease; easygoing:

   an easy disposition.

5. not harsh or strict; lenient:

   an easy master.

6. not burdensome or oppressive:

   easy terms on a loan.

7. not difficult to influence or overcome; compliant:

   an easy prey; an easy mark.

8. free from formality, constraint, or embarrassment:

   He has an easy manner.

   Synonyms: unconstrained, smooth

9. effortlessly clear and fluent:

   an easy style of writing.

10. readily comprehended or mastered:

    an easy language to learn.

11. not tight or constricting:

    an easy fit.

12. not forced or hurried; moderate:

    an easy pace.

13. not steep; gradual:

    an easy flight of stairs.

14. Commerce.
    1. (of a commodity) not difficult to obtain; in plentiful supply and often weak in price.
    2. (of the market) not characterized by eager demand.
15. Nautical.
    1. (of a bilge) formed in a long curve so as to make a gradual transition between the bottom and sides of a vessel; slack.
    2. (of the run of a hull) having gently curved surfaces leading from the middle body to the stern; not abrupt.

adverb

1. Informal. in an easy manner; comfortably:

   to go easy; take it easy.

noun

1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter E.

easy

/ ˈiːzɪ /

adjective

1. not requiring much labour or effort; not difficult; simple

   an easy job

2. free from pain, care, or anxiety

   easy in one's mind

3. not harsh or restricting; lenient

   easy laws

4. tolerant and undemanding; easy-going

   an easy disposition

5. readily influenced or persuaded; pliant

   she was an easy victim of his wiles

6. not tight or constricting; loose

   an easy fit

7. not strained or extreme; moderate; gentle

   an easy ascent

   an easy pace

8. economics
   1. readily obtainable
   2. (of a market) characterized by low demand or excess supply with prices tending to fall Compare tight
9. informal.
   ready to fall in with any suggestion made; not predisposed

   he is easy about what to do

10. slang.
    sexually available
11. easy on the eye informal.
    pleasant to look at; attractive, esp sexually
12. woman of easy virtue
    a sexually available woman, esp a prostitute

adverb

1. informal.
   in an easy or relaxed manner
2. easy does it informal.
   go slowly and carefully; be careful
3. go easy on
   1. to use in moderation
   2. to treat leniently
4. stand easy
   military a command to soldiers standing at ease that they may relax further
5. take it easy
   1. to avoid stress or undue hurry
   2. to remain calm; not become agitated or angry

verb

1. Alsoeasy-oar usually imperative to stop rowing

Usage

Easy is not used as an adverb by careful speakers and writers except in certain set phrases: to take it easy; easy does it. Where a fixed expression is not involved, the usual adverbial form of easily is preferred: this polish goes on more easily (not easier ) than the other

Other Words From

• easy·like adjective
• over·easy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of easy¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English aisie, esy, from Anglo-French (a)eisie, Old French aisié, aised, past participle of aisier to ease

Word History and Origins

Origin of easy¹

C12: from Old French aisié, past participle of aisier to relieve, ease

Idioms and Phrases

• breathe easy
• free and easy
• get off (easy)
• go easy
• let someone down easy
• on easy street
• take it easy

Example Sentences

The website makes it easier for donors to identify and directly support on-the-ground groups, especially in the immediate onset or aftermath of disasters.

From Salon

Dee says before the coronavirus pandemic, it was much easier to find somewhere to raise a family.

From BBC

Has Lee Carsley made it easier by using so many players?

From BBC

But it was easy to imagine that there were other recent missed opportunities for brighter days in America on her mind as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Thirty-four percent of mothers said stay-at-home orders facilitated easier breastfeeding at home, stronger mother-child bonding, and extended breastfeeding duration for many women.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• comfortable
• effortless
• peaceful
• pleasant
• quiet
• secure
• slow
• smooth
• soft
• successful

More About Easy

What is a basic definition of easy?

Easy describes something that is not difficult and requires little effort. Easy also describes something that is not stressful. Informally, easy means in a comfortable way. Easy has many other senses as an adjective and one as a noun.

The most common sense of easy describes something that is simple and requires very little effort or work. This sense is an antonym of words such as difficult, challenging, or tough. Easily means in a way without difficulty. The word ease can mean a lack of stress or difficulty.

Real-life examples: Many things you might find easy to do were once hard until you learned to do them. Counting to five is easy once you learn to count. Finding the yellow crayon among all the blue crayons is easy once you know your colors. You no longer have to think about how to do these tasks. They are easy for you now.

Used in a sentence: She thought the math test was really easy. 

Easy also describes something that lacks stress or any other sources of discomfort. This sense usually describes a person’s life as being relaxing or free from any problems or worries.

Real-life examples: Pampered pets often lead easy lives of sleeping and eating. When you’re on vacation, life often seems relaxing and easy.

Used in a sentence: He had an easy time at work today because nobody came into the store. 

Easy is used informally to mean comfortably or without much stress or hardship. In formal writing, easily is preferred.

Real-life examples: Teachers will often go easy on students they like, meaning they won’t punish those students as harshly or will make things easier for them. If you are taking it easy, you are lounging around and not trying to work hard. If something comes easy to someone, it means they don’t need much effort to master it or complete it.

Used in a sentence: The manager went easy on the new employee, giving them a gentle warning.

Where does easy come from?

The first records of easy come from around 1150. It ultimately comes from the Old French aisier, meaning “to ease.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to easy?

• easier (comparative adjective)
• easiest (superlative adjective)
• easily (adverb)
• easiness
• easylike (adjective)
• overeasy (adjective)

What are some synonyms for easy?

• effortless
• simple
• straightforward 
• comfortable
• pleasant
• peaceful

What are some words that share a root or word element with easy? 

• ease
• easy as pie
• easy does it
• easy money

What are some words that often get used in discussing easy?

• prey
• pace
• money
• read

How is easy used in real life?

Easy is a common word that is most often used to describe something that doesn’t take much effort or work to do.

I know it's a really easy thing to do, but I installed a new 2TB SSD into my computer and I'm proud that it recognizes it AND I didn't mess anything up xD

— Sarah_Nova✫ (@NovaDecoda) November 22, 2020

My cat lives such an easy life, all she does is eat and sleep 🛌

— Abbey💫 (@abbeyyapril) November 20, 2020

Day one training a new hire. I’m not sure how I feel about this new person lol. I went easy on him but next week I’m cracking the whip!!!

— Paul (@PaulKovaleski) May 13, 2020

 

 

Try using easy!

Is easy used correctly in the following sentence?

It was so easy for the professional chef to bake a small cake that she barely had to try.