at ease

phrase

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

Examples of at ease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The crowd was glitzy—Goyard bags strewn over orange day-bed mattresses, Rolexes glinting—but at ease and not partying wildly like those further down the beach. — Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2026

Perry, 41, looked completely at ease as her boyfriend lovingly slathered sunscreen down her dress as the couple embarked on a romantic sunset cruise with friends. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Barring a Boutte trade, Williams has more work to do to feel completely at ease about keeping his roster spot in New England. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 July 2026

Offering a glass of champagne which relaxes them, a question about where guests are visiting from or a discussion about their day in Napa helps establish trust and puts diners at ease. — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for at ease

• agrees
• appease
• bougies
• burmese
• chemise
• chickpeas
• chinese
• cowpeas
• curies
• decrees
• degrees
• disease