effortless

adjective

ef·​fort·​less ˈe-fərt-ləs How to pronounce effortless (audio)
: showing or requiring little or no effort
effortless power
effortlessly adverb
effortlessness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for effortless

easy, facile, simple, light, effortless, smooth mean not demanding effort or involving difficulty.

easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

Examples of effortless in a Sentence

She walked with effortless grace. His writing is known for its seemingly effortless style.
Recent Examples on the Web A touch of dark hair peeked through at the root, giving it an edge and effortless coolness. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Apr. 2024 Madewell Lightweight Ponte Straight-leg Jumpsuit This breezy and effortless jumpsuit is made with lightweight viscose material that offers a structured and flattering fit that can be dressed up for a nice dinner out on the town, or down for a day of sightseeing. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2024 Mostly, Late Night with the Devil is charming and clever, and Dastmalchian and his sideburns make the work look effortless. Kevin Nguyen, The Verge, 20 Apr. 2024 Amy Winehouse, Alexa Chung and Victoria Beckham all technically gave us the skinny on how to navigate denim’s slimline silhouette, but no one pulled off drainpipes quite like Kate, who made them–against all odds–look completely effortless. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2024 The best wall displays may look effortless, but the truth is that a lot of planning goes into a good gallery wall. Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024 The illusion of effortless success masks a deeper truth: that true fulfillment and genuine achievement often require us to embrace the effort exerted beneath the surface. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 No matter the season, Madewell has long been the shopping destination for classic, breezy apparel that channels an effortless vibe through elevated basics and thoughtful silhouettes. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024 That’s why jumpsuits, with their effortless style and flattering fit, have become staples in my wardrobe. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effortless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of effortless was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near effortless

Cite this Entry

“Effortless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effortless. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

effortless

adjective
ef·​fort·​less ˈef-ərt-ləs How to pronounce effortless (audio)
: showing or requiring little or no effort : easy
effortlessly adverb
effortlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on effortless

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