easily

The word “easily” means without difficulty or effort. In plain terms, doing something without trouble, or (in another sense) clearly and by a wide margin.

“Easily” is pronounced EE-zih-lee (/ˈi.zɪ.li/ in IPA).

Here is “easily” used in a sentence: “She easily beat her personal best in the race.”

“Easily” is an adverb.

“Easily” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Easily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without difficulty or effort.

The opposite of easily is 'with difficulty' or 'with effort'. Where easily means something is done smoothly and without strain, its opposite describes a struggle — labouring over a task, or barely managing it. Single-word contrasts include 'laboriously' or 'arduously', though the plain phrase 'with difficulty' is the most natural.

No. It has a second common use meaning 'by far' or 'without doubt', as in 'she is easily the best player'. Here it does not describe effort at all, but strength of certainty — that the statement holds true with a comfortable margin. Context shows which sense is meant.

You might say, 'She passed the test easily,' meaning without difficulty, or 'The car easily fits five people,' meaning with room to spare. In its other sense, 'This is easily his best film' means it is the best by a clear margin. The word signals that something happens smoothly or holds true comfortably.