easily
easily
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "easily" is /ˈiːzɪli/.
ea - /iː/ (as in "see")
si - /zɪ/ (as in "zip" + "it")
ly - /li/ (as in "leaf")
Word Form Variations
"Easily" is an adverb. Therefore, it does not have variations in word form like singular/plural or different tenses. It remains "easily" regardless of the context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Without difficulty or effort.
Definition: Indicating that an action, task, or process can be accomplished with minimal struggle, exertion, or impediments.
Synonyms: effortlessly, simply, readily, smoothly, plainly, comfortably
Antonyms: with difficulty, arduously, laboriously, strenuously
By a considerable margin; without a doubt.
Definition: Used to emphasize the degree to which something is true, often indicating a clear and undeniable superiority, preference, or likelihood.
Synonyms: undoubtedly, certainly, unquestionably, clearly, decidedly, far and away
Antonyms: doubtfully, uncertainly, questionably, arguably
Willingly or without resistance.
Definition: Describing an action performed with an accommodating attitude, or a person who is agreeable and not prone to opposition.
Synonyms: readily, willingly, compliantly, agreeably
Antonyms: reluctantly, unwillingly, grudgingly, obstinately
Likely to happen or be achieved; probably.
Definition: Suggesting a high probability or potential for something to occur, often due to inherent characteristics or circumstances.
Synonyms: probably, possibly, conceivably, likely
Antonyms: improbably, unlikely, scarcely, rarely
Examples of Use
Books:
"He could see that the old man was tired, but he still moved easily through the crowded market, his eyes scanning for fresh produce." (From a novel, The Spice Merchant's Daughter, published 2023)
"With the right techniques, even complex mathematical problems can be understood easily by students of all levels." (From an educational textbook, Calculus Made Clear, published 2022)
Newspapers:
"The local football team easily defeated their rivals 4-0, securing their place at the top of the league table." (The Daily Herald)
"Experts warn that without proper funding, the new social program could easily falter before it even gets off the ground." (The City Times)
Online Publications:
"This new software allows users to edit videos easily with a drag-and-drop interface." (TechCrunch)
"While the stock market has shown some volatility, analysts believe the company's strong fundamentals mean it can easily weather any downturn." (Bloomberg.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Movie Dialogue: "Don't worry, we can easily escape through the back alley if things go south." (From the film Urban Escape, released 2023)
Song Lyrics: "You walked away so easily, leaving nothing but a trace." (From the song "Fading Echoes" by The Lumina, released 2022)
Video Game Tutorial: "Press 'X' to jump over the obstacle. You can easily clear this gap." (In-game tutorial for Adventure Quest, released 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"I could easily meet you for coffee around 3 PM today, if that works." (Conversation between friends)
"That new recipe for pasta is so simple; anyone could easily make it." (Comment on a cooking blog)
"The new public transport system will easily reduce traffic congestion in the city center." (Local government official's statement)
10 Quotes Using Easily
"It is easily to be seen, that that in which every thing else is comprehended, cannot be comprehended in any thing else." (Isaac Newton, Principia Mathematica, 1687)
"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend." This is easily misunderstood, for it is not about surrendering to injustice, but about transforming the relationship." (Abraham Lincoln, attributed)
"Anything that can be done easily is not worth doing." (George Bernard Shaw, attributed)
"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." (Plutarch, paraphrased, often attributed with the idea that internal change easily leads to external change)
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." (Mark Twain, often shortened to emphasize how easily lies spread)
"It is easily said than done." (Often attributed as a common proverb)
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it. That is the point at which we are easily tempted to fall." (Lord Acton, letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887)
"It is easily possible for a tramp to lead a very pleasant life." (George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London, 1933)
"What one can easily see, one can easily forget. What one has struggled to understand, one remembers." (A common adage, attributed to various sources)
"The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone. It can easily be said that strength is found in numbers, but true strength is found within." (Henrik Ibsen, paraphrased, often associated with his themes of individualism)
Etymology
The word "easily" has a straightforward family tree! It comes from the Old French word "aisement," which meant "at ease" or "conveniently."
That Old French word itself grew out of the word "aise," meaning "ease" or "comfort." You can think of "aise" as the root that gave us our modern English word "ease."
So, to make something into an adverb (a word that describes how something is done), English simply added the common adverb ending "-ly" to the word "easy" (which came from "ease").
The first known use of "easily" in English, with a meaning similar to how we use it today ("without difficulty"), can be traced back to the late 13th or early 14th century. So, for a long time, people have been using "easily" to describe things that just aren't that hard to do!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Easily
Easily said than done: Something that sounds simple to do, but is actually difficult.
To take it easily: To relax or not exert oneself too much.
To get off easily: To receive a lighter punishment or consequence than deserved.
To win easily: To achieve victory without much effort or strong opposition.
To be easily swayed: To be readily influenced or persuaded by others.
To give in easily: To surrender or comply without much resistance.
To come by easily: To acquire something with little effort.
To fall in love easily: To develop romantic feelings quickly and without much hesitation.
To breathe easy: To feel relief after a period of worry or stress. (Uses a synonym, "easy," for similar effect)
To go with the flow easily: To adapt to circumstances without resistance. (Original phrase, using "easily")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of easily from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
