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¹ease

noun \ˈēz\

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

: lack of difficulty

: a relaxed and informal way of behaving

Full Definition of EASE

: the state of being comfortable: 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

: relief from discomfort or obligation

: facility, effortlessness <did it with ease>

: an act of easing or a state of being eased

— ease·ful \-fəl\ adjective

— ease·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— at ease

: free from pain or discomfort

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

See ease defined for English-language learners

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Origin of EASE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to EASE

Synonyms: alleviation, comfort, release, relief

Antonyms: constraint, restraint

Rhymes with EASE

breeze, cheese, feeze, freeze, frieze, jeez, lees, please, res, seize, sneeze, squeeze, tease, tweeze, wheeze

²ease

verb

: to free (someone or something) from trouble or worry

: to make (something) less painful

: to make (tension, a problem, etc.) less severe or troubling

easedeas·ing

Full Definition of EASE

transitive verb

: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens <trying to ease her of her worries>

: to make less painful : alleviate <ease his suffering>

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>

: to make less difficult <ease credit>

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

: to give freedom or relief

: to move or pass slowly or easily —often used with a directional word (as over or up) <the limo eased up in front of the house>

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>

See ease defined for English-language learners