Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Without difficulty or effort: Used to describe an action performed in a smooth, uncomplicated, or effortless manner.
   • Very probably; almost certainly: Used to indicate a high degree of likelihood or probability.
   • By a clear margin; without question: Used to emphasize that something is the best, worst, biggest, etc., by a significant degree.

Usage and Examples

• Indicating ease or lack of difficulty:
  • She solved the puzzle easily. (She solved it without any trouble.)
  • The door opens easily now that it's been oiled.
• Indicating high probability:
  • You could easily get lost in this large city. (It is very probable that you would get lost.)
  • That could easily be the reason for the delay.
• Indicating a clear degree or margin:
  • He is easily the tallest person in the room. (He is unquestionably the tallest.)
  • This is easily her best performance to date.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Easily" vs. "Easy" (informal): In very informal spoken English, "easy" is sometimes used as an adverb in place of "easily," especially in phrases like "Take it easy" or "Go easy on him." However, in standard written and formal English, "easily" is the correct adverbial form.
  • Standard/Formal: He won the match easily.
  • Informal/Non-standard: He won easy.
• "All too easily": Used to suggest that something undesirable happens with unfortunate frequency or readiness.
  • One can all too easily forget the importance of gratitude.

Variants and Related Words

• Easy (Adjective): Not difficult; achieved without great effort.
  • The test was easy.
• Ease (Noun/Verb):
  • Noun: Lack of difficulty or effort. (She completed the task with ease.)
  • Verb: To make something less difficult or severe. (The medicine will ease the pain.)

Synonyms

• Effortlessly: Without requiring any effort.
• Readily: Without hesitation or difficulty; willingly.
• Undoubtedly / Unquestionably: Used in the sense of "by a clear margin."
• Probably / Likely: Used in the sense of "very probably."

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Easier said than done: Used to say that something is more difficult to do than it is to talk about.
  • Finding a perfect solution is easier said than done.
• Breathe easy / Easily: To relax because a worry or danger has passed.
  • Now that the project is finished, we can all breathe easy.
• Go easy on (someone/something): To treat someone less severely than you could, or to use less of something.
  • Go easy on the salt; the soup is already flavorful.
  • The teacher went easy on the students because it was their first mistake.

Adverb

1. indicating high probability; in all likelihood
   • I might well do it
   • a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
   • you may well need your umbrella
   • he could equally well be trying to deceive us
2. without question
   • easily the best book she's written
3. with ease (`easy' is sometimes used informally for `easily')
   • she was easily excited
   • was easily confused
   • he won easily
   • this china breaks very easily
   • success came too easy