ease

1 of 2

noun

ˈēz 

1

: the state of being comfortable: such as

a

: freedom from pain or discomfort

b

: freedom from care

c

: freedom from labor or difficulty

d

: freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness

known for his charm and ease of manner

e

: an easy fit

2

: relief from discomfort or obligation

3

: facility, effortlessness

did it with ease

4

: an act of easing or a state of being eased

easeful

ˈēz-fəl 

adjective

easefully

ˈēz-fə-lē 

adverb

ease

2 of 2

verb

eased; easing

transitive verb

1

: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens

trying to ease her of her worries

2

: to make less painful : alleviate

ease his suffering

3

a

: to lessen the pressure or tension of especially by slackening, lifting, or shifting

ease a spring

b

: to maneuver gently or carefully

eased himself into the chair

c

: to moderate or reduce especially in amount or intensity

ease a flow

4

: to make less difficult

ease credit

5

a

: to put the helm of (a ship) alee

b

: to let (a helm or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard over

intransitive verb

1

: to give freedom or relief

2

: to move or pass slowly or easily

—often used with a directional word (such as over or up)

the limo eased up in front of the house

3

a

: to become less intense, vigorous, or engaged : become moderate

—usually used with up or off

told her staff to ease up a little

expected the storm to ease off

ease up on fatty foods

b

: to apply less pressure

—usually used with up or off

ease up on the accelerator

c

: to act in a less harsh manner

—usually used with up or off

decided to ease off on enforcement

Phrases

at ease

1

: free from pain or discomfort

2

a

: free from restraint or formality

feels most at ease with old friends

b

: standing silently (as in a military formation) with the feet apart, the right foot in place, and one or both hands behind the body

—often used as a command

Synonyms

Noun

• alleviation
• comfort
• release
• relief

Verb

• facilitate
• grease
• loosen (up)
• smooth
• unclog

Examples of ease in a Sentence

Noun

the sunburn medication brought me instant ease

a gymnast who can handle even the most demanding moves on the parallel bars with total ease

Verb

trying to ease my troubled mind

The diplomats failed to ease tensions between the two nations.

Authorities are looking for ways to ease prison overcrowding.

The government is expected to ease travel restrictions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Steve Nelson, the president of Aetna and a former chief executive at UnitedHealthcare, said Mr. Thompson had a self-deprecating sense of humor that put others at ease. —Amy Julia Harris, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Fifty-six percent of respondents said the key benefits of mortgage technology is its convenience and ease of use, while 52% cited time savings. —Miriam Moore, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

That could cause trouble for Trump, who faces a potential Catch-22 that will make easing the housing burden difficult to solve. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024

This external validation can ease the discomfort of inconsistency in relationships and provide further confidence to navigate the disagreement. 3. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ese, from Anglo-French eise, aise convenience, comfort, ultimately from Latin adjacent-, adjacens neighboring — more at adjacent

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing ease

• chapel of ease
• ease off
• ease someone's (troubled) mind
• ease up
• ease up on
• ill at ease
• put (someone) at ease
• set/put someone's mind at ease/rest
• set someone's mind at ease
• take one's ease
• with ease
• with the greatest of ease

Kids Definition

ease

1 of 2 noun

ˈēz 

1

: freedom from pain or trouble : comfort of body or mind

a life of ease

2

: freedom from any feeling of difficulty or embarrassment

speak with ease

3

: skill that does not require a lot of hard work

rides a horse with ease

ease

2 of 2 verb

eased; easing

1

: to free from discomfort or worry : relieve

ease one's pain

2

: to make less tight or difficult : loosen

ease up on the rope

3

: to move slowly or gently

eased herself into the chair

Medical Definition

ease

verb

ˈēz 

eased; easing

transitive verb

1

: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens

eased and comforted the sick

2

: to take away or lessen : alleviate

took an aspirin to ease the pain

intransitive verb

: to give freedom or relief (as from pain or discomfort)

a hot bath often eases and relaxes