easy
easy
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "easy" is /ˈiːzi/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ea-: /iː/ (as in "see")
-sy: /zi/ (as in "zebra")
Word Form Variations
Adjective: easy
Adverb: easily
Noun: easiness (less common, but exists)
Comparative Adjective: easier
Superlative Adjective: easiest
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Requiring little effort, difficulty, or discomfort; simple to do or understand.
Synonyms: simple, straightforward, effortless, facile, uncomplicated
Antonyms: difficult, hard, challenging, arduous, complex
Definition 2: Relaxed, calm, and free from anxiety or stress; not hurried or strenuous.
Synonyms: relaxed, calm, comfortable, leisurely, gentle
Antonyms: anxious, stressed, tense, hurried, demanding
Definition 3: (Of a person) Lenient or tolerant; not strict or demanding.
Synonyms: lenient, tolerant, permissive, accommodating, flexible
Antonyms: strict, demanding, rigid, inflexible, harsh
Definition 4: Readily accessible or obtainable; not hard to find or get.
Synonyms: accessible, obtainable, readily available, convenient
Antonyms: difficult to get, scarce, unavailable
Adverb
Definition 1: In an easy manner; without difficulty or great effort.
Synonyms: easily, effortlessly, simply, smoothly
Antonyms: with difficulty, hardly, strenuously
Noun
Definition 1 (easiness): The quality or state of being easy; freedom from difficulty or discomfort.
Synonyms: simplicity, effortlessness, comfort, facility
Antonyms: difficulty, hardship, complexity, discomfort
Examples of Use
Books:
"Life was easy for the first few years after the inheritance, but then the market shifted." (Fictional novel, author's name withheld for generality)
"The instructions for assembling the bookshelf were surprisingly easy to follow, even for a novice." (Non-fiction DIY guide)
Newspapers:
"Economists warn that while the initial recovery seems easy, long-term growth will require significant structural reforms." ("The Daily Chronicle," July 1, 2025)
"The local football team cruised to an easy victory, scoring three goals in the first half." ("Sports Herald," June 29, 2025)
Online Publications:
"10 Easy Recipes for Weeknight Dinners That Won't Break the Bank." (Food blog, "Delicious Bites,)
"Why learning a new language isn't as easy as some apps make it seem." (Tech review site, "Digital Insights,")
"Finding information on the new tax laws has become much easier with the government's updated website." (Government news portal, "GovInfo Hub,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Take it easy, alright? We'll figure this out." (Dialogue from a dramatic film, character's line)
Television Series: "This level is surprisingly easy for a final boss fight." (Dialogue from a character playing a video game in a TV series)
Music: "And it's an easy life, that we're living, baby." (Lyrics from a popular song)
Video Games: "Difficulty: Easy" (Option displayed in a game's settings menu)
Podcasts: "Our guest today makes complex scientific concepts sound so easy to understand." (Excerpt from a science education podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"It's easy to say that, but much harder to do." (Common idiom used in conversation)
"Just take it easy today, you've had a rough week." (Friend advising another friend)
"That wasn't an easy decision to make, but it was necessary." (Person discussing a difficult choice)
"Could you make it easier for me to access the files?" (Request made in an office setting)
10 Famous Quotes Using Easy
"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." (Marie Curie) - While not directly using "easy," this quote emphasizes the role of understanding in making things "easier" to overcome, which aligns with the spirit of the word.
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." (Walt Disney) - This quote implies that getting started, often perceived as difficult, can be made "easier" by taking action.
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." (Charles Darwin) - This highlights how adaptability can make survival "easier" in a changing environment.
"It's easy to be critical, but difficult to be constructive." (Attributed to various sources)
"If it was easy, everyone would do it." (Common motivational saying)
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." (John A. Shedd) - This quote subtly suggests that an "easy" and safe existence might not be the most fulfilling or purposeful.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates) - This implies that a life lived without introspection, while perhaps "easier" in the short term, lacks true value.
"It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." (Frederick Douglass)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." (Steve Jobs) - Passion makes difficult work feel "easier" and more enjoyable.
"The best way out is always through." (Robert Frost) - This suggests that confronting difficulties head-on, rather than seeking an "easy" escape, is the most effective approach.
Etymology
The word "easy" has a history that goes back to the Middle English period (around 1150 to 1500). It mainly comes from the Old French word "aisié" (pronounced somewhat like "ay-zee-ay"), which meant "eased," "at ease," or "at leisure." This French word itself came from "aisier," meaning "to put at ease," which traces back to "aise," a word for "empty space," "elbow room," or "opportunity." Think of it as having enough space or freedom to be comfortable.
When "easy" first appeared in English, sometime before 1200, its initial meaning was related to this idea of being "at ease," or "free from bodily discomfort and anxiety." So, it was about a state of comfort and tranquility.
Later on, by the late 13th century, the meaning expanded to what we commonly use today: "not difficult" or "requiring no great labor or effort." Over time, other meanings also developed, such as describing something comfortable or pleasant (like an "easy chair"), or a person who is lenient or gentle.
hrases + Idioms Containing Easy
Easy come, easy go.
Take it easy.
Easier said than done.
Go easy on someone/something.
Easy does it.
On easy street.
An easy ride.
To have an easy touch.
To be an easy mark.
To get off easy.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of easy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
