English

easily

gb/ˈizəli/ us/ˈizəli/
A2 English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adverb A2 property
1

Without difficulty or effort

In a way that is not hard to do.

Usage pattern: [someone] can easily [verb] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'easily' with 'easy'. 'Easily' is an adverb describing how something is done, while 'easy' is an adjective describing something's nature.
Synonyms
effortlessly (Implies complete lack of effort, often with elegance.) | readily (Suggests quick willingness or ability without obstacles.)
Antonyms
with difficulty (Indicates that something requires a lot of effort or is hard to do.) | hardly (Means 'almost not' and implies great difficulty or near impossibility.)
Collocations
can easily see |can easily find |can easily understand |can easily reach
Themes
daily life |communication |core_vocabulary |daily_life
Examples
  • She finished the puzzle easily in under an hour.
  • You can easily walk to the station from here.
  • The test was so simple that everyone passed easily.
  • I can easily carry this box by myself.
  • They easily agreed on the plan.
Learner examples
  • I can easily lift this bag.
  • You can easily read this book.
  • She can easily make a cake.
  • We can easily go to the park.
  • He can easily fix the chair.
adverb B1 property
2

With a high likelihood

Used to say something will probably happen or is true.

Usage pattern: [something] could easily [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with meaning 'without difficulty'. In this sense, it expresses probability, not effort.
Synonyms
likely (Expresses probability, but as an adjective rather than adverb.) | probably (Indicates a high degree of likelihood without emphasis on ease.)
Antonyms
unlikely (Shows low probability of happening.)
Collocations
could easily happen |might easily be mistaken |could easily win
Themes
communication |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • This could easily be the best meal I've ever had.
  • He might easily become the next team captain.
  • You could easily miss the turn if you're not paying attention.
  • We could easily get lost in these woods.
  • She could easily win the competition.
Learner examples
  • It could easily rain today.
  • He could easily win the race.
  • You might easily forget this word.
  • We could easily be late.
  • She might easily get sick.
adverb B1 relation
3

By far; without doubt

Used to say something is much more than something else.

Usage pattern: [something] is easily [comparative adjective] than [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'very' instead of 'easily' in comparisons where 'easily' emphasizes degree over possibility or effort.
Synonyms
by far (Emphasizes a large difference, often in comparisons.) | considerably (Focuses on being much greater in amount or degree.)
Antonyms
barely (Indicates only just enough or almost not.)
Collocations
easily the best |easily bigger |easily more expensive
Themes
communication |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • This is easily the most beautiful beach I've seen.
  • She is easily taller than her brother.
  • It was easily the coldest day of the year.
  • He is easily more experienced than anyone else here.
  • This phone is easily better than my old one.
Learner examples
  • This is easily the best cake.
  • He is easily faster than me.
  • It is easily colder today than yesterday.
  • She is easily the tallest in the class.
  • This bag is easily heavier than that one.
Grammar
Dictionary form
easily
IPA
GB/ˈizəli/
US/ˈizəli/
Syllables & stress
eas - ily (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (eas)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: easily
  • Plural: easilies
Word family
Forms
easilies noun
Core family
easy adjective A1 ease noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
uneasy adjective B1 uneasily adverb B2
Related words
easygoing adjective B2
Advanced or less common
uneasiness noun C1
Expressions

easily done

1
/ˈizəli dˈʌn/
fixed phrase

Quick and simple to do

Used to say something can be done without much time or effort.

Examples
  • Fixing that loose screw? Easily done!
  • Cleaning this room is easily done in an hour.

go easy on [someone/something]

1
/ɡˈoʊ ˈizi ˈɔn sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
idiom informal

Treat gently or use sparingly

To treat someone kindly without being too strict; or to use less of something.

Examples
  • Go easy on him—he’s just learning.
  • Go easy on him—he's new here.
  • Go easy on the salt when you cook.
  • Go easy on the salt, please.

take it easy

2
/tˈeɪk ˈɪt ˈizi/
idiom informal

Relax for a while

To relax and not do hard work for some time.

Examples
  • You’ve been working hard—why not take it easy this weekend?
  • You’ve been working all day—take it easy tonight.
  • You should take it easy after your surgery.
  • Take it easy, there’s no rush.
  • Take it easy, there’s no need to rush.
  • Take it easy—there's no rush.

take it easy

3
/tˈeɪk ˈɪt ˈizi/
idiom informal

Relax and not work hard

To relax and not do too much work or worry too much.

Examples
  • You’ve been working all day—take it easy for a while.
  • Let’s take it easy this weekend and just watch movies.

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