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

Examples of easy in a Sentence

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But because pressured waterfowl aren’t easy to fool, hunters have been trying to perfect the art of decoy deception to swing the odds in their favor. Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024 To make this easier, appointments are not required. Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The has-it-all retailer is blessing us with the most divine sets in 2024 to make holiday shopping easy and ensure rave reviews from your beloved giftee. Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024 Win $150 Bonus and NBA League Pass With FanDuel Promo Code Offer Picking which game to bet on won't be easy given all the options today. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for easy 

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of easy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near easy

Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/easy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on easy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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