easy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
    • an easy job
    • an easy problem
    • an easy victory
    • the house is easy to heat
    • satisfied with easy answers
    • took the easy way out of his dilemma
  2. adjective satellite not hurried or forced
    easygoing; leisurely.
    • an easy walk around the block
    • at a leisurely (or easygoing) pace
  3. adjective free from worry or anxiety
    • knowing that I had done my best, my mind was easy
    • an easy good-natured manner
    • by the time the chsild faced the actual problem of reading she was familiar and at ease with all the elements words
  4. adjective satellite affording pleasure
    • easy good looks
  5. adjective satellite having little impact
    gentle; soft.
    • an easy pat on the shoulder
    • gentle rain
    • a gentle breeze
    • a soft (or light) tapping at the window
  6. adjective satellite readily exploited or tricked
    • an easy victim
    • an easy mark
  7. adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
    well-to-do; prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated.
    • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
    • easy living
    • a prosperous family
    • his family is well-situated financially
    • well-to-do members of the community
  8. adjective satellite marked by moderate steepness
    gentle.
    • an easy climb
    • a gentle slope
  9. adjective satellite affording comfort
    • soft light that was easy on the eyes
  10. adjective satellite casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
    sluttish; wanton; light; promiscuous; loose.
    • her easy virtue
    • he was told to avoid loose (or light) women
    • wanton behavior
  11. adjective satellite less in demand and therefore readily obtainable
    • commodities are easy this quarter
  12. adjective satellite obtained with little effort or sacrifice, often obtained illegally
    • easy money
  13. adverb with ease (`easy' is sometimes used informally for `easily')
    easily.
    • she was easily excited
    • was easily confused
    • he won easily
    • this china breaks very easily
    • success came too easy
  14. adverb without speed (`slow' is sometimes used informally for `slowly')
    tardily; slow; slowly.
    • he spoke slowly
    • go easy here--the road is slippery
    • glaciers move tardily
    • please go slow so I can see the sights
  15. adverb in a relaxed manner; or without hardship
    soft.
    • just wanted to take it easy" (`soft' is nonstandard)

WordNet

Eas"y adjective
Etymology
OF. aisié, F. aisé, prop. p. p. of OF. aisier. See Ease, v. t.
Wordforms
comparative Easier ; superlative Easiest
Definitions
  1. At ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint; as: (a) Free from pain, distress, toil, exertion, and the like; quiet; as, the patient is easy. (b) Free from care, responsibility, discontent, and the like; not anxious; tranquil; as, an easy mind. (c) Free from constraint, harshness, or formality; unconstrained; smooth; as, easy manners; an easy style.
    "The easy vigor of a line." Pope.
  2. Not causing, or attended with, pain or disquiet, or much exertion; affording ease or rest; as, an easy carriage; a ship having an easy motion; easy movements, as in dancing.
    "Easy ways to die." Shak.
  3. Not difficult; requiring little labor or effort; slight; inconsiderable; as, an easy task; an easy victory.
    It were an easy leap. Shak.
  4. Causing ease; giving freedom from care or labor; furnishing comfort; commodious; as, easy circumstances; an easy chair or cushion.
  5. Not making resistance or showing unwillingness; tractable; yielding; complying; ready.
    He gained their easy hearts. Dryden.
    He is too tyrannical to be an easy monarch. Sir W. Scott.
  6. Moderate; sparing; frugal. Obs. Chaucer.
  7. (Com.) Not straitened as to money matters; as, the market is easy; -- opposed to tight. Syn. -- Quiet; comfortable; manageable; tranquil; calm; facile; unconcerned.

Webster 1913