What does "ease" mean?

1. (lack of difficulty) the ability to do something without much effort. 2. (comfort) a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain or worry. 3. (to make easier) to make a problem or a feeling of pain less difficult or severe. 4. (to move carefully) to move something slowly and gently into a position. 5. (to loosen) to make a rope or a rule less tight. 6. (to lessen in intensity) to become less strong or less active.

ease

n. · v.

US //ˈiz// UK //ˈiːz// ease

1 lack of difficulty (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the ability to do something without much effort.

the quality of being easy to perform or accomplish; absence of difficulty.

Example

She passed the driving test with ease because she had practiced every day.

Example

The athlete cleared the final hurdle with such ease that the spectators were left wondering if he had even reached his full speed.
- effortlessness
- simplicity
- difficulty
- struggle
2 comfort (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain or worry.

freedom from pain, worry, or constraint; a state of physical or mental comfort.

Example

He lived a life of ease after retiring from his successful business.

Example

Despite the formal setting of the gala, the host's natural charm put all the guests at ease immediately.
- discomfort
- anxiety

Show 4 more sensesShow fewer

3 to make easier (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to make a problem or a feeling of pain less difficult or severe.

to alleviate or lessen the intensity of something unpleasant, such as pain, tension, or a difficult situation.

Example

The doctor gave him some medicine to ease the pain in his back.

Example

The central bank lowered interest rates in an attempt to ease the financial pressure on small business owners during the recession.
- aggravate
- worsen
4 to move carefully (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to move something slowly and gently into a position.

to move something with care and precision, often to avoid damage or to fit into a tight space.

Example

He eased the large sofa through the narrow doorway.

Example

The pilot eased the aircraft onto the runway, ensuring a smooth landing despite the challenging crosswinds.
- force
- shove
5 to loosen (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to make a rope or a rule less tight.

to slacken tension on a physical line or to relax the strictness of a regulation.

Example

The government decided to ease the travel restrictions next month.

Example

The captain ordered the crew to ease the sheets to catch the shifting wind more effectively as they rounded the cape.
- loosen
- slacken
- relax
- tighten
6 to lessen in intensity (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to become less strong or less active.

to diminish in pressure, speed, or intensity; often used with 'off'.

Example

We waited for the rain to ease off before we went for a walk.

Example

Market analysts expect the inflation rate to ease slightly over the next quarter as supply chain issues are resolved.
- intensify
- increase

Origin

From Middle English ese, eise, aise, from Anglo-Norman ese (“ease”), from Old French eise, aise (“elbow room; opportunity”), of uncertain and obscure origin. Apparently related to Provençal ais, Italian agio and asio, Sicilian aciu and Portuguese azo. Sometimes ascribed to Vulgar Latin āsia or āsium, possibly from Latin ānsa (“handle, haft”) or Frankish ansiju (“handle, loophole, eyelet; cup-handle; arms akimbo, elbow room”), but more often derived from Vulgar Latin adjace(m), from Latin adjacēns (“adjacent, neighbouring”), present participle of adjaceō (“lie next to, border on”), though the forms and senses are difficult to trace clearly. Alternatively, possibly from a non-Latin source such as Germanic or Celtic on the basis of the conflicting forms which appear in various Romance languages. Compare Old English īeþe (“easy”), Gothic 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐌹 (azēti, “ease; pleasure”), 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐍃 (azēts, “easy”), Breton eaz, ez (“easy”), Irish adhais (“easy; leisure”). See also eath. The verb is from Middle English esen, ultimately of the same origin.

Word family

Nounease
Noununease