Main Entry: ¹easy

Pronunciation: \ˈē-zē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): eas·i·er; eas·i·est

Etymology: Middle English esy, from Anglo-French eisé, aasié, past participle of eiser, aaisier to ease, from a- ad- (from Latin ad-) + eise ease

Date: 13th century

1 a : causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort <within easy reach> b : requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection <easy clichés>
2 a : not severe : lenient <hopes they'll be easy on him> b : not steep or abrupt <easy slopes> c : not difficult to endure or undergo <an easy penalty> d : readily taken advantage of <an easy target for takeovers> <an easy mark for con men> e (1) : readily available <easy pickings> (2) : plentiful in supply at low or declining interest rates <easy money> (3) : less in demand and usually lower in price <bonds were easier> f : pleasant <easy listening> g : sexually promiscuous
3 a : marked by peace and comfort <the easy life of a courtier> b : not hurried or strenuous <an easy pace>
4 a : free from pain, annoyance, or anxiety <did all she could to make him easier> b : marked by social ease <an air of easy assurance> c : easygoing <an easy disposition>
5 a : giving ease, comfort, or relaxation b : not burdensome or straitened <bought on easy terms> c : fitting comfortably : allowing freedom of movement <easy jackets> d : marked by ready facility <an easy flowing style> e : felt or attained to readily, naturally, and spontaneously <an easy smile>

— eas·i·ness noun

synonyms easy, facile, simple, light, effortless, smooth mean not demanding effort or involving difficulty. easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks <an easy college course>. facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness <facile answers to complex questions>. simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent <a simple problem in arithmetic>. light stresses freedom from what is burdensome <a light teaching load>. effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness <moving with effortless grace>. smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles <a smooth ride>.

synonyms see in addition comfortable