easy

adjective

UK /ˈiːzi/

Word Forms

adjective	easy
comparative	easier
superlative	easiest

1
not difficult to do, or not needing much work
Finding somewhere to live in London isn’t easy.
easy to do:
This cake is very easy to make.
It’s quite an easy game to learn.
it is easy to do something:
It is not always easy to find good teaching materials in this field.
quite/fairly/relatively easy:
I’ll show you how to work the till – it’s quite easy.
an easy way to do something:
The easiest way to get to Hertford is on the train.
make something easy:
We all thought computers would make our jobs easier.
Synonyms and related words
Easy to do and to be easy
easy
simple
convenient
1. 1a
  not difficult to know, understand, or believe
  Here’s an easy question to start with.
  easy to do:
  His explanations are clear and easy to follow.
  it is easy to see:
  It is easy to see why she likes him.
  Synonyms and related words
  Straightforward and easy to understand
  straightforward
  simple
  make sense
2. 1b
  used about something that is easy to do but may not be the best thing to do
  It’s no good just making a few quick easy decisions.
  easy answer:
  There are no easy answers to the problems of our cities.
  Synonyms and related words
  Easy to do and to be easy
  easy
  simple
  convenient
3. 1c
  an easy time is one when you have very few problems or worries
  have an easy time (of it):
  Jill hasn’t had an easy time of it since her divorce.
  have an easy day/week/year:
  Luckily, I’d had an easy day at the office, so I wasn’t tired.
  Synonyms and related words
  Pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing
  pleasant
  enjoyable
  relaxing
2
an easy way of behaving shows that you are happy, confident, and not worried about anything
He’d always admired Doug’s easy charm.
Synonyms and related words
Calm and relaxed
calm
relaxed
cool
Synonyms and related words
Confident and proud
confident
proud
easy

phrases

be/feel easy (in your mind)

get/be given an easy ride

easy money/pickings

easy on the eye/ear

an easy target

the easy way out

I’m easy

it is all too easy (for someone) to do something

it is easy (for someone) to do something

on easy street

that’s easy for you to say

within easy walking/driving distance

easy

adjective

US /ˈizi/

Word Forms

adjective	easy
comparative	easier
superlative	easiest

1
not difficult to do, or not needing much work
Finding somewhere to live in New York isn’t easy.
easy to do:
This cake is very easy to make.
It’s a pretty easy game to learn.
it is easy to do something:
It is not always easy to find good teaching materials in this field.
an easy way to do something:
The easiest way to get to Hartford is on the train.
make something easy:
We all thought computers would make our jobs easier.
quite/fairly/relatively easy:
I’ll show you how to work the register – it’s quite easy.
Synonyms and related words
Easy to do and to be easy
easy
simple
convenient
1. 1a
  not difficult to know, understand, or believe
  Here’s an easy question to start with.
  easy to do:
  His explanations are clear and easy to follow.
  it is easy to see:
  It is easy to see why she likes him.
  Synonyms and related words
  Straightforward and easy to understand
  straightforward
  simple
  make sense
2. 1b
  used about something that is easy to do but may not be the best thing to do
  It’s no good just making a few quick easy decisions.
  easy answer:
  There are no easy answers to the problems of our cities.
  Synonyms and related words
  Easy to do and to be easy
  easy
  simple
  convenient
3. 1c
  an easy time is one when you have very few problems or worries
  have an easy day/week/year:
  Luckily, I’d had an easy day at the office, so I wasn’t tired.
  have an easy time (of it):
  Jill hasn’t had an easy time of it since her divorce.
  Synonyms and related words
  Pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing
  pleasant
  enjoyable
  relaxing
2
an easy way of behaving shows that you are happy, confident, and not worried about anything
He’d always admired Doug’s easy charm.
Synonyms and related words
Calm and relaxed
calm
relaxed
cool
Synonyms and related words
Confident and proud
confident
proud
dignified
3
informal old-fashionedsomeone who is easy has a lot of sexual partners
Synonyms and related words
Having a lot of sexual partners
easy
loose
philandering

phrases

be/feel easy (in your mind)

get/be given an easy ride

easy money/pickings

easy on the eye/ear

an easy target

the easy way out

I’m easy

it is all too easy (for someone) to do something

it is easy (for someone) to do something

on easy street

that’s easy for you to say

within easy walking/driving distance

easy

adverb

UK /ˈiːzi/

Word Forms

comparative	easier
superlative	easiest

phrases

breathe/rest easy
1
to relax and stop feeling worried
Just three more questions and then you can breathe easy.
I won’t rest easy until I get my passport back.
Synonyms and related words
To rest, relax or do nothing
sit back
rest
relax
something comes easy (to someone)
1
used for saying that it is not hard for someone to do something
Synonyms and related words
Easy to do and to be easy
easy
simple
convenient
easier said than done
informal
1
used for saying that something is a good idea but will be difficult to achieve
Some people want the UN to withdraw, but that’s easier said than done.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult to do and involving a lot of effort
difficult
hard
tough
easy come, easy go
spoken
1
used for saying that someone has spent money quickly, after getting it easily, and that they should not worry because they have spent it
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe spending behaviour
a fool and his money (are soon parted)
be burning a hole in your pocket
blank cheque
easy does it
spoken
1
used for telling someone to do something carefully or gently, especially when they are moving something large
Synonyms and related words
Ways of warning or advising someone
beware
watch it
mind (out)
go easy on someone
mainly spoken
1
to not be very angry or severe when you are dealing with someone
Go easy on her: she’s only a kid.
Synonyms and related words
To treat someone with great or excessive care or kindness
infantilize
spoil
pamper
go easy on/with something
mainly spoken
1
used for telling someone not to use, eat, or drink too much of something
Didn’t the doctor tell you to go easy on the salt?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of warning or advising someone
beware
watch it
mind (out)
take it easy
1. 1
  informalto rest and not do things that will make you tired
  Take it easy and don’t tire yourself out.
  Synonyms and related words
  To rest, relax or do nothing
  sit back
  rest
  relax
2. 2
  spokenused for telling someone to be calm when they are upset or annoyed
  Hey, cool down! Take it easy.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of telling someone not to worry or be upset
  cheer up
  forget it
  never mind
3. 3
  mainly Americanspokenused for saying goodbye to someone
  I’ll talk to you later. Take it easy. Bye.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of saying goodbye
  goodbye
  bye
  good night

easy

adverb

US /ˈizi/

Word Forms

comparative	easier
superlative	easiest

phrases

breathe/rest easy
1
to relax and stop feeling worried
Just three more questions and then you can breathe easy.
I won’t rest easy until I get my passport back.
Synonyms and related words
To rest, relax or do nothing
sit back
rest
relax
something comes easy (to someone)
1
used for saying that it is not hard for someone to do something
Synonyms and related words
Easy to do and to be easy
easy
simple
convenient
easier said than done
informal
1
used for saying that something is a good idea but will be difficult to achieve
Some people want the UN to withdraw, but that’s easier said than done.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult to do and involving a lot of effort
difficult
hard
tough
easy come, easy go
spoken
1
used for saying that someone has spent money quickly, after getting it easily, and that they should not worry because they have spent it
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe spending behavior
a fool and his money (are soon parted)
be burning a hole in your pocket
credit history
easy does it
spoken
1
used for telling someone to do something carefully or gently, especially when they are moving something large
Synonyms and related words
Ways of warning or advising someone
beware
look out
watch it
go easy on someone
mainly spoken
1
to not be very angry or severe when you are dealing with someone
Go easy on her: she’s only a kid.
Synonyms and related words
To treat someone with great or excessive care or kindness
infantilize
spoil
pamper
go easy on/with something
mainly spoken
1
used for telling someone not to use, eat, or drink too much of something
Didn’t the doctor tell you to go easy on the salt?
Synonyms and related words
Ways of warning or advising someone
beware
look out
watch it
take it easy
1. 1
  informalto rest and not do things that will make you tired
  Take it easy and don’t tire yourself out.
  Synonyms and related words
  To rest, relax or do nothing
  sit back
  rest
  relax
2. 2
  spokenused for telling someone to be calm when they are upset or annoyed
  Hey, cool down! Take it easy.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of telling someone not to worry or be upset
  don’t worry
  cheer up
  forget it
3. 3
  spokenused for saying goodbye to someone
  I’ll talk to you later. Take it easy. Bye.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of saying goodbye
  goodbye
  good night
  see you

easy ​‌‌‌

easy ​‌‌‌

easy ​‌‌‌

breathe​/​rest easy

something comes easy (to someone)

easier said than done

easy come, easy go

easy does it

go easy on someone

go easy on​/​with something

take it easy

easy ​‌‌‌

breathe​/​rest easy

something comes easy (to someone)

easier said than done

easy come, easy go

easy does it

go easy on someone

go easy on​/​with something

take it easy

easy

easy

easy

breathe/rest easy

go easy on/with something

easy

breathe/rest easy

go easy on/with something