English▸ adjective
( easier, easiest)
1 achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties:
an easy way of retrieving information
it is not easy for young children to wait patiently
it is easier to talk about change than to implement it.
2 (of a period of time or way of life) free from worries or problems:
promises of an easy life in the New World
he has not found these last few months at all easy.
▪ (of a person) lacking anxiety or awkwardness; relaxed:
her easy and agreeable manner
they didn't feel easy about what they were doing
he never felt easy with her.
3 (of an object of attack or criticism) having no defence; vulnerable:
as a taxi driver he was an easy target.
▪ informal, derogatory very receptive to sexual advances (typically used of a woman):
her reputation at school for being easy.
– PHRASES
be easier said than done be more easily talked about than put into practice:
going on an economy drive is easier said than done.
easy come, easy go
used especially in spoken English to indicate that a relationship or possession acquired without effort may be abandoned or lost without regret.
used especially in spoken English to indicate that a relationship or possession acquired without effort may be abandoned or lost without regret.
easy does it
used to advise someone to approach a task carefully and slowly:
used to advise someone to approach a task carefully and slowly:
with father's wine in the back I mustn't drive too fast, so easy does it.
easy on the eye (also easy on the eyes) informal
pleasant to look at:
pleasant to look at:
a charming village that is easy on the eye.
easy on the ear (also easy on the ears) informal
pleasant to listen to:
pleasant to listen to:
his singing is easy on the ear.
easy touch informal
a person who readily gives or does something if asked:
a person who readily gives or does something if asked:
anyone who thinks you are an easy touch is in for a big surprise.
have it easy informal
have no difficulties; be fortunate:
have no difficulties; be fortunate:
they have had it easy for too long and have become complacent.
I'm easy informal
said by someone when offered a choice to indicate that they have no particular preference.
said by someone when offered a choice to indicate that they have no particular preference.
of easy virtue dated
very receptive to sexual advances (typically used of a woman):
very receptive to sexual advances (typically used of a woman):
critics believed that as a painter she must be a woman of easy virtue.
sleep easy
go to sleep without worries:
go to sleep without worries:
Mac and Linux users can sleep easy. They're immune to the virus.
stand easy! Military
used to instruct soldiers standing at ease that they may relax their attitude further.
used to instruct soldiers standing at ease that they may relax their attitude further.
– ORIGIN Middle English (also in the sense ‘comfortable, tranquil’): from Old French aisie, past participle of aisier ‘put at ease, facilitate’ (see ease).