easy
37 synonyms and 10 antonyms for easy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Requiring little effort or skill; not difficult.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use easy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French aisié ("at ease, at leisure"), from aise — the same root that gives us "ease."
Full origin of easy →Frequently asked questions
What does “easy” mean?
The word “easy” means requiring little effort or skill; not difficult. In plain terms, not hard to do, or (of a person or mood) relaxed and comfortable.
How do you pronounce “easy”?
“Easy” is pronounced EE-zee (/ˈiːzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “easy” in a sentence?
Here is “easy” used in a sentence: “The test was easy compared to what she expected.”
What is another word for “easy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “easy” include as a duck takes to water, basic, easy as 123, easy as ABC, easy as cake and easy as pie.
What is the opposite of “easy”?
The opposite of “easy” — its antonyms — are uneasy, anxious, difficult, hard and uneath.
What part of speech is “easy”?
Depending on how it is used, “easy” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “easy” come from?
The word “easy” comes from Old French. From Old French aisié ("at ease, at leisure"), from aise — the same root that gives us "ease.".
Is “easy” a common word?
“Easy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "easy" and "simple"?
"Easy" means requiring little effort, while "simple" means having few parts or not being complicated. A task can be simple but not easy — the instructions are clear, yet the work is hard. It can also be easy but not simple, like a complex machine that runs at the push of a button.
What is the opposite of "easy"?
The main opposites are "hard" and "difficult," describing tasks that take real effort or skill. Related words include "demanding," "challenging," and "tough." Where easy tasks can be done with little strain, their opposites require concentration, practice, or struggle to complete.
Is it "easy" or "easily"?
"Easy" is the adjective, describing a thing — "an easy test." "Easily" is the adverb, describing how something is done — "she passed easily." A few fixed phrases keep the older adverb form of "easy," such as "take it easy" and "go easy on him," but in most cases the -ly form is correct.