How to pronounce easy
Say it like EE-zee. Easy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
- EE
- zee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Easy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- zeeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of easy
American and British speakers say easy in essentially the same way: /ˈizi/ in the US and /ˈiːzi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EE-zee.
What does easy mean?
- Comfortable; at ease.“Now that I know it's taken care of, I can rest easy at night.”
- Requiring little skill or effort.“It's often easy to wake up but hard to get up.”
- Causing ease; giving comfort, or freedom from care or labour.“Rich people live in easy circumstances, that is, the easy life.”
- In a relaxed or casual manner.“After his illness, John decided to take it easy.”
- In a manner without strictness or harshness; gently; softly.“Jane went easier on him after he broke his arm.”
- Handily; at the very least.“This project will cost 15 million dollars, easy.”
- Something that is easy.
Where does easy come from?
From Middle English esy, eesy, partly from Middle English ese (“ease”) + -y, equivalent to ease + -y, and partly from Anglo-Norman eisé from Old French aisié (“eased, at ease, at leisure”), past participle of aisier (“to put at ease”), from
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with easy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of easy.
Questions about saying easy
How do you pronounce easy?
Say EE-zee. The American pronunciation is /ˈizi/. In British English it is /ˈiːzi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in easy?
Easy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · zee.
Do Americans and Brits say easy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈizi/ and the British form is /ˈiːzi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.