easy

[ee-zee] /ˈi zi/
adjective, easier, easiest.
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.
3.
providing or conducive to ease or comfort; comfortable:
an easy stance; an easy relationship.
4.
fond of or given to ease; easygoing:
an easy disposition.
5.
not harsh or strict; lenient:
an easy master.
6.
not burdensome or oppressive:
easy terms on a loan.
7.
not difficult to influence or overcome; compliant:
an easy prey; an easy mark.
8.
free from formality, constraint, or embarrassment:
He has an easy manner.
9.
effortlessly clear and fluent:
an easy style of writing.
10.
readily comprehended or mastered:
an easy language to learn.
11.
not tight or constricting:
an easy fit.
12.
not forced or hurried; moderate:
an easy pace.
13.
not steep; gradual:
an easy flight of stairs.
14.
Commerce.
  1. (of a commodity) not difficult to obtain; in plentiful supply and often weak in price.
  2. (of the market) not characterized by eager demand.
15.
Nautical.
  1. (of a bilge) formed in a long curve so as to make a gradual transition between the bottom and sides of a vessel; slack.
  2. (of the run of a hull) having gently curved surfaces leading from the middle body to the stern; not abrupt.
adverb
16.
Informal. in an easy manner; comfortably:
to go easy; take it easy.
noun
17.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter E.
Origin
1150-1200; Middle English aisie, esy < Anglo-French (a)eisie, Old French aisié, aised, past participle of aisier to ease
Related forms
easylike, adjective
overeasy, adjective
Synonyms
2. tranquil, untroubled, comfortable, contented, quiet. 8. smooth, unconstrained.
Antonyms
1. difficult. 2. agitated. 3. uncomfortable.
Examples from the web for easy
  • There is an easy answer to this question, and it involves some good news and some bad news.
  • People simply are in denial of this easy to predict emerging energy technology because it is too-good-to-be-true.
  • Marigolds and sunflowers are good choices as they are relatively easy to grow organically and tend to attract lots of bees.
  • If her temper be good, want of education makes her soft and easy.
  • It is the kind of thing that is easy to diagram but difficult to explain.
  • Take a tea break with a customizable jigsaw puzzle-easy or difficult, it's your choice.
  • The effect was easy to dismiss as alchemy, but there had to be a good explanation.
  • It was easy to add features and buttons and be seen as a good differentiator.
  • Most students I know create a class schedule based on a combination of easy and difficult classes.
  • Not an easy call.
British Dictionary definitions for easy

easy

/ˈiːzɪ/
adjective easier, 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
3.
not harsh or restricting; lenient: easy laws
4.
tolerant and undemanding; easy-going: an easy disposition
5.
readily influenced or persuaded; pliant: she was an easy victim of his wiles
6.
not tight or constricting; loose: an easy fit
7.
not strained or extreme; moderate; gentle: an easy pace, an easy ascent
8.
(economics)
  1. readily obtainable
  2. (of a market) characterized by low demand or excess supply with prices tending to fall Compare tight (sense 10)
9.
(informal) ready to fall in with any suggestion made; not predisposed: he is easy about what to do
10.
(slang) sexually available
11.
(informal) easy on the eye, pleasant to look at; attractive, esp sexually
12.
woman of easy virtue, a sexually available woman, esp a prostitute
adverb
13.
(informal) in an easy or relaxed manner
14.
(informal) easy does it, go slowly and carefully; be careful
15.
go easy on
  1. to use in moderation
  2. to treat leniently
16.
(military) stand easy, a command to soldiers standing at ease that they may relax further
17.
take it easy
  1. to avoid stress or undue hurry
  2. to remain calm; not become agitated or angry
verb easies, easying, easied
18.
(usually imperative) Also easy-oar. to stop rowing
Usage note
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
Word Origin
C12: from Old French aisié, past participle of aisier to relieve, ease
Word Origin and History for easy
adj.

c.1200, "at ease," from Old French aisie "comfortable, at ease, rich, well-off" (Modern French aisé), past participle of aisier "to put at ease," from aise (see ease).

Sense of "not difficult to deal with" is mid-14c.; of conditions, "comfortable," late 14c. The concept of "not difficult" was expressed in Old English and early Middle English by eaþe (adv.), ieþe (adj.), apparently common West Germanic, but of disputed origin. Easy Street first printed 1901 in "Peck's Red-Headed Boy." Easy money attested by 1896; to take it easy "relax" is from 1867; easy does it recorded by 1891. Easy rider (1912) was U.S. black slang for "sexually satisfying lover." The easy listening radio format is from 1965, defined by William Safire (in 1986) as, "the music of the 60's played in the 80's with the style of the 40's." Related: Easier; easiest.

Slang definitions & phrases for easy

easy

Related Terms

breathe easy, free-and-easy, go easy, over easy, speakeasy, take it easy, take things easy


Idioms and Phrases with easy

easy

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