Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

easier said than done

idiom

Definition of easier said than done

: not easy to do
  • "We just need to raise the money." "That's easier said than done."

Word by Word Definitions

easy play easier

  1. : causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort

  2. : requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection

  3. : not severe : lenient

  1. : easily

  2. : without undue speed or excitement

  3. : without worry or care

See the full definition of easy
said play

  1. : past tense and past participle of say

  1. : aforementioned

See the full definition of said
done play

  1. : past participle of do

  1. : arrived at or brought to an end

  2. : doomed to failure, defeat, or death

  3. : gone by : over

See the full definition of done

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up easier said than done? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games