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easy

adj.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈizi// UK //ˈiːzi// easy Archaic General-service Informal Vulgar

adj. not difficult to do or understand. You use this when something requires very little effort or work.

adj. achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties. Often used to describe tasks, problems, or physical movements that do not require significant exertion.


SIMPLE

The math test is very easy.

CONTEXTUAL

Finding the hotel is easy because it is the tallest building in the city center.

COMPLEX

While the initial setup of the software is relatively easy, mastering the advanced features requires several weeks of dedicated practice and technical support.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English esy, eesy, partly from Middle English ese (“ease”) + -y, equivalent to ease + -y, and partly from Anglo-Norman eisé from Old French aisié (“eased, at ease, at leisure”), past participle of aisier (“to put at ease”), from aise (“empty space, elbow room, opportunity”), of uncertain origin. See ease. Merged with Middle English ethe, eathe (“easy”), from Old English īeþe, from Proto-Germanic auþuz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂éwtus, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ew- (“to enjoy, consume”). Compare also Old Saxon ōþi, Old High German ōdi, Old Norse auðr, auð-, Icelandic auð (adverb), auð-, all meaning "easy." More at ease, eath.

Usage

Commonly used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive, as in 'easy to use'.

Pitfall

I am easy to do thisIt is easy for me to do thisWhen describing a task, 'easy' usually takes 'it' as a dummy subject rather than the person performing the action.

Idioms13 entries

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