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 pace

   an easy ascent

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.
    easy on the eye pleasant to look at; attractive, esp sexually
12. woman of easy virtue
    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.
   easy does it go slowly and carefully; be careful
3. go easy on
   go easy on
   1. to use in moderation
   2. to treat leniently
4. stand easy
   stand easy military a command to soldiers standing at ease that they may relax further
5. take it easy
   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

According to Mnuchin, a standalone PPP bill would be the “easiest” way to resume helping businesses.

From Fortune

Also, the side handles and lid make carrying it much easier.

From Popular-Science

Second, clinicians and patients should have easy access to that information, including amounts and potential adverse effects.

From Popular-Science

It has fewer options than Zoom, which makes it easier for kids to operate, but it’s even easier to use with these handy shortcuts.

From Popular-Science

Once home values begin a one-way plummet, it’s easy for economists to see how entire communities spin out of control.

From ProPublica

Talking about death is never easy, but with food, comfort, and familiarity, a new kind of dinner party is making it easier.

From The Daily Beast

The first thing they told us was that the traffickers are now using Turkish ports, which are relatively easy to reach from Syria.

From The Daily Beast

You know, when I was younger, I used to make problems for myself, like it was too easy.

From The Daily Beast

They selected an “easy mark” who turned out to be an off-duty NYC Housing Authority cop named James Carragher.

From The Daily Beast

This will make it easy to pour the flour mixture into the stand mixer.

From The Daily Beast

A constant sense of easy balance should be developed through poising exercises.

From Project Gutenberg

Big Reginald took their lives at pool, and pocketed their half-crowns in an easy genial way, which almost made losing a pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

The first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards the motion was easy enough.

From Project Gutenberg

His Indian repute had not preceded him to such degree as to make the way easy for him through the London crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

The endless miles of railways, the vast apparatus of the factories, the soaring structures of the cities bear easy witness to it.

From Project Gutenberg

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.