[easy] adj eas.i.er ; -est [ME esy, fr. OF aaisie, pp. of aaisier to ease, fr. a- ad- (fr. L ad-) + aise ease] (13c) 1 a: causing or involving little difficulty or discomfort "no ~ task" "within ~ reach" b: requiring or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection "~ cliches" "~ mediocrity"
2. a: not severe: lenient b: not steep or abrupt "~ slopes" c: not difficult to endure or undergo "an ~ penalty" d: readily taken advantage of "an ~ target for takeovers" e (1): readily available: easily come by "~ pickings" (2): plentiful in supply at low or declining interest rates "~ money" (3): less in demand and usu. lower in price "bonds were easier" f: pleasant "~ listening" "~ on the eyes" 3 a: marked by peace and comfort "the ~ life of a courtier" b: not hurried or strenuous "an ~ pace" "an ~ flick of the wrist"
4. a: free from pain, annoyance, or anxiety "did all she could to make him easier" b: marked by social ease "an air of ~ assurance" c: easygoing "an ~ disposition"
5. a: giving ease, comfort, or relaxation "~ chairs" b: not burdensome or straitened "bought on ~ terms" "living in ~ circumstances" c: fitting comfortably: allowing freedom of movement "~ jackets" d: marked by ready facility "an ~ flowing style" e: felt or attained to readily, naturally, and spontaneously "an ~ smile" -- eas.i.ness n syn 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" "an easy marker". 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" "light reading". effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usu. 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" "a smooth transition to the new administration". syn see in addition comfortable
[2]easy adv eas.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: easily 1 "promises come ~"
2. a: without undue speed or excitement "take it ~" b: in or with moderation "go ~ on the mustard" 3 a: without worry or care "rest ~" b: without a severe penalty "got off ~" c: without violent movement "the boat rode ~"
4: easily
2. "cost $500 ~"