simple or easy

Simple vs. Easy? What’s the Difference?

Vocabulary / By

It can be tricky to determine when the right time to use “easy” or “simple”. These words might seem like the same thing, but they aren’t. For example, something can be simple but not be easy. Simple means something basic and not complicated. Easy means not difficult. 

The best example of the difference between simple and easy is writing. You can decide to sit down and write a book, which is simple as all you need to do is type on the computer. While it seems simple, writing is not the least bit easy. You can simply write words, but it’s not easy to have them make sense with a plot and detailed characters.

Simple

Simple is an adjective that does refer to something being easy, but not in the way you would think. Simple means that something is easy to understand because it is not elaborate or luxurious. Simple refers to things that are basic, plain, and generally uncomplicated.

Simple can also be used as a noun and commonly refers to someone who is foolish, gullible, or ignorant. In addition to this, simple can also refer to someone who comes from someplace that is humble, such as a commoner.

Examples
A simple yes or no answer is fine, thank you.

The vocabulary of a toddler usually consists of simple words.

Her statement was honest and simple, helping more people understand.

I just need to finish a few simple chores before I leave the house.

Easy

Easy can be used as an adjective, noun, and adverb. As an adjective, easy refers to something that is not difficult and requires little or no effort. It also means that someone or something is comfortable. Someone who is easygoing is called such because they let things go easily and go with the flow.

Easy is used informally as an adverb. It refers to something being done in an easy manner or doing something comfortably. This is mostly used when someone says they are taking things easy for a while.

As a noun, easy is used to be used to represent E in communication. If a word was being spelled out that contained an E, the word easy would be used before it was changed to echo. For example, red would’ve been spelled Romeo, easy, delta.

Examples
You’re an easy target because you don’t move.

The job is easy, and I always finish my work early.

It is always easy to make a mistake when you aren’t paying full attention.

Simple Life or Easy Life?

These phrases get used frequently, sometimes in place of each other even though they shouldn’t be. If someone lives a simple life, this means they don’t have very many material objects and they prefer to do things in a natural way to avoid potential complications.

If someone lives an easy life, they usually have access to all of the great luxuries that money can buy you. These luxuries make it possible to work smarter, not harder, thus an easy life.

Being Easy or Being Simple?

When you say that someone is being simple, you are saying that they aren’t very smart, and they don’t have much going on in their head. There are multiple different interpretations for saying someone is being easy. They are usually laid-back about everything and just go with the flow.

Simple vs Easy

It is possible for something to be simple, but not easy. It’s also possible for something to be easy, but not simple. The latter will usually happen when instructions are included to build something, but they are in a different language. The former happens when something is simple and understandable, but the actual process is more difficult than expected.

Another example is to think about design. You can have a simple design without making things more complicated than they need to be. This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the context.

Easy is the opposite of difficult. This often includes something like problem-solving or achieving some sort of goal. We often use “easy” when the objective is solved faster than expected.

I love the simple, minimalist design. 

Can you solve the Rubik’s Cube? Yeah, it’s easy! 

Conor
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