Word
uneasy
Phoneticsun·easy
US/əˈnizi/
UK/ʌnˈiːzi/
Definitions
01feeling worried or anxious
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling slightly worried or nervous about something, often because you think something bad might happen.
adj. characterised by a sense of apprehension or anxiety regarding a future event or current situation.
“I felt uneasy about leaving the children home alone for the first time.”
“The witness felt increasingly uneasy as the prosecutor began to probe the inconsistencies in her initial statement.”
Synonyms
02an awkward or tense situation
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a situation or atmosphere that is not relaxed and feels like trouble might start.
adj. describing a state of precarious stability or a social atmosphere marked by tension and lack of comfort.
“There was an uneasy silence in the room after they finished their argument.”
“The two countries reached an uneasy peace treaty that many analysts believed would not last through the winter.”
Antonyms
03physically restless
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. unable to sit still or sleep because you are in pain or worried.
adj. marked by physical restlessness or a lack of repose, often due to underlying discomfort or mental agitation.
“He spent an uneasy night tossing and turning in the hotel bed.”
“The patient fell into an uneasy sleep, frequently waking to the sound of the hospital monitors.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“She is uneasy being the face of her music and generally keeps herself at arm’s length from the industry.” “An uneasy truce was agreed in November 2022.” Etymology
From Middle English unesy, equivalent to un- + easy. Merged with Middle English unethe, uneathe (“difficult, not easy”). See uneath.
From Middle English unesy, unaisie (“not comforting”), from un- + esy (“comfortable, at ease”). More at easy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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