easy

1 of 2

adjective

easier; easiest
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
easiness noun

easy

2 of 2

adverb

easier; easiest
1
: easily sense 1
promises come easy
2
: without undue speed or excitement
take it easy
3
a
: without worry or care
rest easy
b
: without a severe penalty
got off easy
c
: without violent movement
the boat rode easy
4
: easily sense 2
cost $500 easy
Choose the Right Synonym for easy

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

Example Sentences

Adjective It's surprisingly easy to use. It was an easy decision to make. They scored an easy goal late in the game. It wasn't easy for her to leave home. There are no easy solutions to this problem. He's had an easy life. This new schedule should make our lives easier. I hope this will make things easier for you. I won't feel easy until I know that she arrived safely. Adverb He just wants to take life easy now. we can make the trip in four hours easy See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Indianapolis Star Winning wasn't going to be easy in this matchup, but North Putnam still prevailed 65-53 against Riverton Parke in an Indiana boys basketball matchup. Indy Star Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2023 Playing there was easy because fans brought the electricity. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2023 That message hasn’t always been easy for Ellis to internalize. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2023 This is a family favorite and my family isn't easy! Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2023 But capturing a toucan is not easy, especially without a special trap with remote control capabilities, Stevens said. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2023 Beating a team three times is not easy, especially a team like Deer Valley, who plays hard all game long. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2023 Advertisement However, redeploying officers into the city’s schools wouldn’t be easy, in part because of challenges with police retention and hiring. Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2023 And making new equipment isn't easy under sanctions. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023
Adverb
Get the recipe for Banana-Butterscotch Cake. 10 Spring Daisy Lemon Layer Cake This easy layered lemon cake is the perfect centerpiece for your Easter desserts, thanks to the sweet daisies adorning the sides. Erin Cavoto, Country Living, 3 Mar. 2023 But the Ericsson case highlights what critics of the department say has been a years-long pattern of granting companies deferred prosecution agreements that let them off easy for wrongdoing. Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023 Sesame Workshop has a long history of explaining complex topics in easy-to-understand terms, executives said on a press call announcing the campaign. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023 Shoppers love how easy and effectivene the Poweart Cordless V870 Vacuum Cleaner is. Clara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2023 The frothing container can be removed to store leftover milk in the fridge and it can be put in the dishwasher, making clean up easy. Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 28 Feb. 2023 And there is certainly a lot to like in this easy-handling 18-volt saw from Ryobi, a power tool priced for homeowners and hobbyists but capable of doing very smooth, straight and accurate cuts. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 27 Feb. 2023 The lightweight suitcase has 360 wheels that will make gliding through the airport or city streets easy and can carry up to nine outfits. Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2023 Digitized systems that provide online appointment booking and easy-to-share electronic records can help patients bypass often confusing bureaucratic processes. Kiltesh Patel, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'easy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of easy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near easy

Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/easy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

easy

1 of 2 adjective
easier; easiest
1
: not hard to do or get : not difficult
an easy lesson
2
a
: not hard to please : lenient
an easy teacher
b
: not steep
easy slopes
3
a
: free from pain, trouble, or worry
b
: not hurried : leisurely
an easy pace
4
: not false or strained : natural
an easy manner
5
: giving relaxation and comfort
an easy chair
easiness noun

easy

2 of 2 adverb
easier; easiest
1
: easily sense 1
take life easy
2
: with slow care : cautiously
go easy

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