easily
UK: ˈiːzɪli | US: ˈiːzɪli
Definition
adv. without difficulty or effort
adv. very probably or almost certainly
adv. in a relaxed or comfortable manner
Structure
easy <comfortable, from Old English "ēase">ly <adverb suffix, from Old English "-līc">
Etymology
The word "easily" derives from the Old English root "ēase," meaning comfort or lack of difficulty, combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly," which transforms adjectives into adverbs. Over time, "easy" evolved from describing physical comfort to denoting simplicity or effortlessness, and the addition of "-ly" extended its meaning to describe actions performed without struggle. The logical progression reflects how comfort (ēase) became associated with effortless action (easily).
Examples
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