Etymology Map
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Easy

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means not difficult; free from worry

Where does the word "easy" come from? It comes from Late Latin adjacens, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
adjacens
Late Latin · ancient
"lying nearby"
the probable source of Old French 'aise', comfort
2
Stage 2 of 3
aisié
Old French · medieval
"at ease, comfortable"
past participle of 'aisier', to put at ease
3
Stage 3 of 3
easy
English · 1200s
"comfortable"
'easy' meaning not difficult dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Easy’s story begins in Late Latin: adjacens meant “lying nearby.” The probable source of Old French 'aise', comfort. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aisié. Past participle of 'aisier', to put at ease. It reached English by 1200s as easy. 'easy' meaning not difficult dates from the 1300s. Today, easy means not difficult; free from worry.