Definition

Adjective: 1. Providing comfort, ease, or a lack of difficulty: Describes a situation, especially a job or position, that is very comfortable, pleasant, and requires little effort or stress. 2. Undemanding and well-paid: Often implies that a task or role is not only easy but also offers good benefits or pay.

Usage

The adjective "cushy" is typically used before a noun to describe a job, position, or situation. It is informal and often carries a slightly envious or critical connotation, suggesting the ease is perhaps undeserved or unusually good.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "A cushy number": (British English, informal) A very easy and comfortable job or situation.
  • He's got a real cushy number working for his uncle's company.
• "Cushy" to describe non-job situations: While most common for jobs, it can describe any comfortable, easy situation.
  • The prisoners were living in cushy conditions, which caused public outrage.

Variants and Related Words

• Cushiness (noun, informal): The quality of being cushy.
  • The cushiness of his government position was well-known.

Synonyms

• Easy: Involving little effort or difficulty.
• Soft: (Informal) Undemanding, easy.
• Plush: Luxuriously comfortable (often for environments, but can imply an easy job).
• Undemanding: Not requiring much effort or attention.

Antonyms

• Demanding: Requiring much skill, effort, or time.
• Grueling: Extremely tiring and demanding.
• Arduous: Involving or requiring strenuous effort.

Related Idioms

• "A bed of roses": A situation of ease and luxury.
  • Don't think this new role will be a bed of roses; it's not as cushy as it looks.
• "Living the life of Riley": (Informal) Living a life of great ease and comfort.
  • Ever since he inherited that money, he's been living the life of Riley in a cushy beach house.

Adjective

1. not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship
   • what a cushy job!
   • the easygoing life of a parttime consultant
   • a soft job