Something that is easy to do or seems easy because it doesn't require much work or energy.
From effort (from Latin exfortis meaning to force out) + -less (suffix meaning without). The word emerged in English in the 1600s to describe things done without apparent struggle or energy expenditure.
The most skillful people often make difficult things look effortless—like Olympic athletes or master musicians—but this 'effortlessness' actually required thousands of hours of practice to achieve. The word reveals an ironic truth: true effortlessness comes from tremendous effort.
Associated with 'natural talent' myths that have historically excluded women from STEM and leadership; male effortlessness praised as genius, female effort dismissed as lacking innate ability.
Acknowledge visible effort and skill-building; avoid implying success without work, which masks systemic advantage and undermines those who have to work harder.
["skilled","practiced","accomplished","capable"]
Women's documented hard work in science, mathematics, and leadership has been erased or attributed to others; centering effort as noble challenges the 'genius = male = effortless' myth.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.