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

William Buzbee, a professor at Georgetown Law, told Reuters that the Musk-Ramaswamy interpretation of recent cases is "very confused," and that while Trump has latitude to ask agencies to "go easy" on enforcement, neither court decision restricts federal agency powers as much as Musk and Ramaswamy might wish.

From Salon

"It has been an easy working relationship between us in terms of small chats or things we feel are going well or we need to change," said Lake.

From BBC

“It’s easy to bring those guys in because we know what we want here.”

From Los Angeles Times

However, living in New York was hard, and she missed gardening and the easy access to nature in California.

From Los Angeles Times

Glenn Whipp’s two cents on “Nickel Boys”: “If you’ve read Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the friendship between two Black boys at a brutal Florida reform school, you know it’s not an easy read — or an easy book to adapt for a film. RaMell Ross does a masterful job.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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