easy
- 01 A1 Beginner
adj.not difficult to do or understand; requiring little effort.
adj.requiring minimal effort, skill, or cognitive resources to accomplish or comprehend.
Simple“The exam was very easy, so I finished it twenty minutes early.”
In context“The software provides an easy interface for novice users while maintaining powerful features for professionals.”
PitfallIt is easy for me doing this. It is easy for me to do this.The adjective 'easy' is followed by an infinitive (to do), not a gerund (doing).
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.feeling comfortable and not worried.
adj.characterised by a lack of stress, constraint, or formality; relaxed in manner.
Simple“She has an easy smile that makes everyone feel welcome.”
In context“After years of high-pressure corporate work, he finally enjoyed an easy life in the countryside.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.a person who is very willing to have sex with anyone.
adj.consenting readily to sexual activity; typically used as a derogatory descriptor for women.
Simple“He made a rude comment about her being easy just because she was friendly.”
In context“The character was unfairly labelled as easy by her peers, reflecting the double standards of the era.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is often offensive and sexist; learners should be aware of its negative connotations and avoid using it to describe people.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.having enough money to live comfortably.
adj.pertaining to a state of financial comfort or a market where capital is readily available.
Simple“The family lived in easy circumstances thanks to their successful business.”
In context“The central bank's policy led to easy credit conditions, encouraging businesses to expand despite the economic uncertainty.”
SynonymsAntonymstightstraitened - 05 B1 Intermediate
adv.to do something gently or with caution.
adv.in a relaxed, careful, or gradual manner; often used in imperative constructions.
Simple“Take it easy while your leg is still healing from the injury.”
In context“Go easy on the salt; the chef already seasoned the soup quite heavily before it left the kitchen.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrasal expressions 'take it easy' or 'go easy on'.
Usage easy way · easy to find · easy access
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.