easy

[ ee-zee ]
See synonyms for: easyeasiereasiesteasies on Thesaurus.com

adjective,eas·i·er [ee-zee-er], /ˈi zi ər/, eas·i·est [ee-zee-ist]. /ˈi zi ɪst/.
  1. not hard or difficult; requiring no great labor or effort: a book that is easy to read; an easy victory.

  2. free from pain, discomfort, worry, or care: He led an easy life.

  1. providing or conducive to ease or comfort; comfortable: an easy stance; an easy relationship.

  2. fond of or given to ease; easygoing: an easy disposition.

  3. not harsh or strict; lenient: an easy master.

  4. not burdensome or oppressive: easy terms on a loan.

  5. not difficult to influence or overcome; compliant: an easy prey; an easy mark.

  6. free from formality, constraint, or embarrassment: He has an easy manner.

  7. effortlessly clear and fluent: an easy style of writing.

  8. readily comprehended or mastered: an easy language to learn.

  9. not tight or constricting: an easy fit.

  10. not forced or hurried; moderate: an easy pace.

  11. not steep; gradual: an easy flight of stairs.

  12. Commerce.

    • (of a commodity) not difficult to obtain; in plentiful supply and often weak in price.

    • (of the market) not characterized by eager demand.

  13. Nautical.

    • (of a bilge) formed in a long curve so as to make a gradual transition between the bottom and sides of a vessel; slack.

    • (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.

Origin of easy

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English aisie, esy, from Anglo-French (a)eisie, Old French aisié, aised, past participle of aisier to ease

Other words for easy

Opposites for easy

Other words from easy

  • eas·y·like, adjective
  • o·ver·eas·y, adjective

Words Nearby easy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use easy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for easy

easy

/ (ˈiːzɪ) /


adjectiveeasier or easiest
  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

  1. not harsh or restricting; lenient: easy laws

  2. tolerant and undemanding; easy-going: an easy disposition

  3. readily influenced or persuaded; pliant: she was an easy victim of his wiles

  4. not tight or constricting; loose: an easy fit

  5. not strained or extreme; moderate; gentle: an easy pace; an easy ascent

  6. economics

    • readily obtainable

    • (of a market) characterized by low demand or excess supply with prices tending to fall: Compare tight (def. 10)

  7. informal ready to fall in with any suggestion made; not predisposed: he is easy about what to do

  8. slang sexually available

  9. easy on the eye informal pleasant to look at; attractive, esp sexually

  10. 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

  1. go easy on

    • to use in moderation

    • to treat leniently

  2. stand easy military a command to soldiers standing at ease that they may relax further

  3. take it easy

    • to avoid stress or undue hurry

    • to remain calm; not become agitated or angry

verbeasies, easying or easied
  1. Also: easy-oar (usually imperative) to stop rowing

Origin of easy

1
C12: from Old French aisié, past participle of aisier to relieve, ease

usage For easy

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with easy

easy

In addition to the idioms beginning with easy

  • easy as pie
  • easy come, easy go
  • easy does it
  • easy money
  • easy on the eyes
  • easy sledding
  • easy street, on

also see:

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.