I. ˈē-zē adjective
( eas·i·er ; -est )
Etymology: Middle English esy, from Anglo-French eisé, aasié, past participle of eiser, aaisier to ease, from a- ad- (from Latin ad- ) + eise ease
Date: 13th century
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
• eas·i·ness noun
Synonyms:
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
Synonym: see in addition comfortable .
II. adverb
( eas·i·er ; -est )
Date: 14th century
1. : easily 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 2
cost $500 easy