easily
/ˈiːzəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiːzəli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈē-zə-lē ˈēz-lē/ (ame, mw)
easily — adverb
1. happening or being done in a smooth way that needs very little extra time or har
happening or being done in a smooth way that needs very little extra time or hard work.
Ayana solved the puzzle easily, finishing in under five minutes.
verb + easily for effortless action
The heavy suitcase lifted easily once Niran emptied out the books.
Valentina found her way through the market easily despite the crowds.
The librarian found the missing book easily using the computer system.
- effortlessly
slightly more formal; emphasises the absence of struggle
- smoothly
focuses on the lack of obstacles or interruptions
- readily
can mean 'easily' but also carries a sense of willingness
- with difficulty
the direct opposite, emphasising struggle
- laboriously
implies slow, hard work
文法句型
verb + easily
easily + verb
常見錯誤
2. used to say that something is definitely true, especially when comparing it to o
used to say that something is definitely true, especially when comparing it to others and stating which one stands out the most.
That restaurant is easily the best place to eat in this neighbourhood.
easily + the + superlative (best)
This is easily the most difficult exam the students have faced all year.
Sora is easily the tallest player on the basketball team this season.
That novel is easily the most popular book in the school library.
- undoubtedly
stronger certainty; less common in everyday speech
- definitely
more emphatic and common in conversation
- clearly
emphasises the obviousness of the judgement
- doubtfully
the opposite stance on certainty
- questionably
suggests the judgement could be disputed
文法句型
easily + the + superlative + noun
用法筆記
This sense almost always pairs with a superlative adjective (the best, the most, the tallest). It does not work with plain positive adjectives: 'easily good' is not natural.
常見錯誤
3. used to say that something has a strong chance of happening or being the case, e
used to say that something has a strong chance of happening or being the case, especially when a particular situation or condition makes it probable.
If you leave the milk out of the fridge, it can easily go bad overnight.
can + easily + verb for probability
A small argument like that could easily turn into a big fight.
Diya can easily catch a cold if she walks home in the rain without a coat.
Without proper training, a beginner can easily hurt themselves in the gym.
- probably
similar level of probability; works as a sentence adverb
- likely
overlapping meaning but grammatically flexible (adjective or adverb)
- quite possibly
slightly less certain than 'easily' in this sense
文法句型
can/could/might + easily + verb
用法筆記
Common with modal verbs (can, could, might). The condition that makes the outcome likely is often stated in a following 'if'-clause or implied by context.
常見錯誤
4. happening in a short period of time, or faster than what is considered normal, e
happening in a short period of time, or faster than what is considered normal, especially when talking about changes in mood, energy, or condition.
Ada gets bored easily when the lecture goes on for too long.
verb + easily for speed of reaction
The old dog tired easily on long walks, so they took shorter routes.
Sahil cries easily during emotional scenes in films, especially sad dramas.
The toddler gets frustrated easily when she cannot reach the toys.
- slowly
the opposite speed
文法句型
verb + easily for speed of change
verb + easily for emotional or physical reaction
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs describing changes in emotion, energy, or physical state — such as 'get bored', 'tire', 'cry', 'get angry', 'get upset'. It emphasises that the change happens faster than it would for most people.