ease

¹ease

noun \ˈēz\

Definition of EASE

1

: 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

2

: relief from discomfort or obligation

3

: facility, effortlessness <did it with ease>

4

: an act of easing or a state of being eased

— ease·ful\-fəl\ adjective

— ease·ful·ly\-fə-lē\ adverb

— 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

Examples of EASE

1. <the sunburn medication brought me instant ease>
2. <a gymnast who can handle even the most demanding moves on the parallel bars with total ease>

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

Related Words: appeasement, assuagement, decrease, diminishment, mitigation, moderation, mollification; calming, salving, soothing

Near Antonyms: discomfort, unrest; agony, anguish, misery, suffering, torment, torture; ache, pain, pang, prick, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with EASE

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