Easy

/ˈiːzi/ adjective

Definition

Not difficult; needing little effort or skill.

Etymology

From Old French 'aisé' meaning 'comfortable, at ease', from Latin 'adjacens' meaning 'lying near, convenient'. The sense shifted from physical comfort to lack of difficulty.

Kelly Says

Originally, 'easy' was more about comfort than challenge level, which is why we still say 'take it easy' to mean relax. Something can be easy but still unpleasant—and hard but deeply satisfying.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

In English, 'easy' has been used pejoratively for women (e.g., 'easy girl') to police female sexuality, while similar behavior by men was often normalized or praised. This double standard reflects broader patterns of sexual and gender bias.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid using 'easy' to judge people’s sexual behavior or morality; reserve it for tasks or experiences, not persons.

Inclusive Alternatives

["straightforward","simple","low-effort"]

Empowerment Note

When discussing sexual norms, note how women and queer people have been disproportionately shamed with labels like 'easy' while advocating for sexual autonomy and equality.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.