adverb
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with ease; without difficulty or exertion
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by far; beyond question; undoubtedly
he is easily the best in the contest
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probably; almost certainly
he may easily come first
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of easily
First recorded in 1250–1300, easily is from the Middle English word esily. See easy, -ly
Explanation
Things that happen easily don't require a lot of effort. When your old car starts easily on a very cold morning, you'll breathe a sigh of relief. While you can only climb a mountain with difficulty, you can probably climb the stairs in your house easily. You can also use this adverb to mean something closer to "quickly," as when you describe your puppy as easily distracted with treats or yourself as easily bored by long books. The Old French root of easily is aisie, "comfortable" or "at ease."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"So that, if necessary, we can easily use them," she added.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Many legal experts viewed the case as baseless and easily winnable for CBS, but Paramount eventually agreed to settle the suit for $16 million in order to speed the deal’s approval.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Maybe that’s why I find the song so alluring and why I’m able to connect with it so easily, despite my conflicting personal feelings.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Campaigners have said the current system is too easily exploited.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
She spoke the Mvskoke word for thank you easily, gratitude flowing out.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
