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

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