easy

[[t]i͟ːzi[/t]]

♦

easier, easiest

1) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf If a job or action is easy, you can do it without difficulty or effort, because it is not complicated and causes no problems.

The shower is easy to install...

It's easy to get a seat at the best shows in town...

This is not an easy task...

The home is situated within easy access of shops and other facilities.

Syn:

simple

Ant:

difficult

Derived words:

easily ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v

Dress your child in layers of clothes you can remove easily.

2) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ about n If you describe an action or activity as easy, you mean that it is done in a confident, relaxed way. If someone is easy about something, they feel relaxed and confident about it.

She is laughing and joking and making easy conversation with people she has never met before...

He was an easy person to talk to...

Once you are both feeling a little easier about the break up of your relationship, you'll find that you can be more flexible.

Ant:

tense

Derived words:

easily ADV-GRADED ADV with v

They talked amiably and easily about a range of topics.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you say that someone has an easy life, you mean that they live comfortably without any problems or worries.

She has not had an easy life.

Syn:

simple

4) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf (disapproval) If you say that something is easy or too easy, you are criticizing someone because they have done the most obvious or least difficult thing, and have not considered the situation carefully enough.

That's easy for you to say...

It was all too easy to believe it.

5) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ on the n You use easy in expressions such as easy on the ear or easy on the eye when you are describing things that are pleasant and that do not need much effort to be enjoyed or done. [INFORMAL]

The music sounds like an advert - easy on the ear but bland and forgettable...

The layout should be clear and easy on the eye.

...a low-impact form of aerobic exercise that's easy on the joints.

Syn:

gentle, undemanding

6) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n If you describe someone or something as easy prey or as an easy target, you mean that they can easily be attacked or criticized.

Tourists have become easy prey...

The World Bank, with its poor environmental record, is an easy target for blame.

Syn:

soft

7) → See also easily

8) PHRASE You use the expression easy come, easy go to indicate that the person you are talking about does not care much about money and possessions. [INFORMAL]

My attitude to money is slightly easy come, easy go.

9) CONVENTION If you say `Easy does it', you are telling someone to be careful and not to use too much effort, especially when they are moving something large and awkward. [SPOKEN]

10) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you tell someone to go easy on something, you are telling them to use only a small amount of it. [INFORMAL]

Go easy on the alcohol.

11) PHRASE: V and ADJ inflect, PHR n If you tell someone to go easy on, or be easy on, a particular person, you are telling them not to punish or treat that person very severely. [INFORMAL]

`Go easy on him,' Sam repeated, opening the door...

Be a little easier on yourself and enjoy yourself more...

This agency has been far too easy on the timber industry over the years.

12) PHRASE: v-link PHR (emphasis) If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it.

Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

13) PHRASE: V and ADJ inflect If someone tells you to take it easy or take things easy, they mean that you should relax and not do very much at all. [INFORMAL]

It is best to take things easy for a week or two.