easy

SayEE-zee/ˈizi//ˈiːzɪ/

12 meanings of easy

1
adjective
Not hard, so you can do it without much skill or work.
Like walking downhill instead of climbing up.
The test was easy, so everyone finished quickly.
This is an easy recipe for someone just learning to cook.
UsageSay it is easy to do something. The forms are easier and easiest.
Similarsimple, straightforward, effortless, painless, undemanding
Oppositedifficult, hard, challenging, demanding
2
adverb
Without trouble or much effort, as in "it doesn't come easy" or "easier said than done."
Making new friends has never come easy to my brother.
Getting up at five every day is easier said than done.
UsageUsed in phrases like come easy. In other places, say easily.
Similareasily
Oppositehard
3
adjective
Feeling or showing calm and comfort, or making someone feel comfortable and relaxed.
Like resting in a soft bed after a long day.
After retiring, they enjoyed an easy life by the sea.
Sink into an easy chair and forget your troubles for a while.
Similarrelaxed, comfortable, carefree, leisurely, untroubled
Oppositehard, stressful, uncomfortable
Note

Less common meanings

4
adverb
In a calm, relaxed way.
Take it easy this weekend and get some rest.
The test is over, so you can rest easy tonight.
UsageUsed in phrases like take it easy and rest easy.
Similarfreely, calmly, comfortably
5
gentlyadverb
In a gentle, soft way, not harshly.
Go easy on the kids. They are still learning.
She tried to let him down easy when she said no.
Similargently, softly, lightly
Oppositehard, harshly, roughly, heavily
Note
6
comfortablyadverb
Without any trouble, or at least and likely more.
That old truck is worth five thousand dollars easy.
We can finish the whole job in two days easy.
UsagePut it after a number: five thousand dollars, easy.
Similarcomfortably, handily
Note
7
sexually looseadjectivederogatorycolloquial
Willing to have sex without much persuasion, used as an insult.
People unfairly called her easy just for being friendly.
He spread cruel rumors that she was easy.
UsageDon't call people this. Easy to talk to is kind; she's easy is an insult.
Similarpromiscuous, loose
Oppositechaste
Note
8
adjective
Happy to go along with what others want, or easy to talk into helping or giving.
Like a door that opens with a gentle push.
Pick any movie you like tonight, I'm easy.
Grandpa is an easy touch and always says yes to the kids.
UsageI'm easy means I don't mind what we choose.
Similarcompliant, accommodating, yielding, amenable, pliant
Oppositestubborn, resistant, obstinate, uncooperative
Note
9
cheap creditadjective
Plentiful and cheap to borrow, when talking about money or credit.
Money was easy that year, so many families bought homes.
When credit is easy, people tend to borrow more freely.
UsageHeard in easy money and easy credit. The opposite is tight.
Similarcheap, loose, plentiful, abundant
Oppositetight, dear, scarce
Note
10
interjectioncolloquial
Something you say to make someone calm down, go slower, be careful, or stop.
Easy! That box is full of glasses.
Easy, buddy, there's no need to yell at me.
UsageOften said as easy now or easy does it.
Similarsteady
11
nouncolloquial
A thing that is simple to do.
12
verb
In rowing, to stop pulling the oars and let the boat glide.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English, partly from a word meaning "ease" and partly from Old French aisié meaning "at ease." The origin of the French root is uncertain.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Easy comes from Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
Easy derives partly from a Middle English word meaning "ease". en.wiktionary.org
Easy derives partly from Old French aisié, meaning "at ease", through Anglo-Norman. en.wiktionary.org
The ultimate origin of the French root is uncertain. en.wiktionary.org