ease

1 of 2

noun

ˈēz 

1

: the state of being comfortable: such 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

easeful

ˈēz-fəl 

adjective

easefully

ˈēz-fə-lē 

adverb

see also:

at ease

ease

2 of 2

verb

eased; easing

transitive verb

1

: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens

trying to ease her of her worries

2

: to make less painful : alleviate

ease his suffering

3

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

4

: to make less difficult

ease credit

5

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

1

: to give freedom or relief

2

: to move or pass slowly or easily

—often used with a directional word (such as over or up)

the limo eased up in front of the house

3

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

Synonyms of ease

Noun

• relief

Verb

• facilitate

Examples of ease in a Sentence

Noun

the sunburn medication brought me instant ease

a gymnast who can handle even the most demanding moves on the parallel bars with total ease

Verb

trying to ease my troubled mind

The diplomats failed to ease tensions between the two nations.

Authorities are looking for ways to ease prison overcrowding.

The government is expected to ease travel restrictions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ease of entry for these kinds of programs is appreciated by people like Sara Pickering Pick, a Bradshaw volunteer who lives in the Fair Oaks area. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2026

The kitchen has been remodeled with the owners insisting on it meeting the highest standards for design excellence, craftsmanship, and ease of use. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026

Verb

Later, your appetite for socializing may ease as the Moon enters Scorpio. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

In the 1940s haute couture status brought practical advantages, but as postwar shortages eased in the early 1950s, those benefits diminished. — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing ease

• at ease
• chapel of ease
• ease off
• ease someone's (troubled) mind
• ease up
• ease up on
• ill at ease
• put (someone) at ease
• set/put someone's mind at ease/rest
• set/put your mind at ease/rest
• set someone's mind at ease
• take one's ease
• with ease
• with the greatest of ease

Rhymes for ease

• bees
• bes
• breeze
• cheese
• crees
• crise
• deas
• dees
• fees
• fleas
• flees
• frees

Kids Definition

ease

1 of 2 noun

ˈēz 

1

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

a life of ease

2

: freedom from any feeling of difficulty or embarrassment

speak with ease

3

: skill that does not require a lot of hard work

rides a horse with ease

ease

2 of 2 verb

eased; easing

1

: to free from discomfort or worry : relieve

ease one's pain

2

: to make less tight or difficult : loosen

ease up on the rope

3

: to move slowly or gently

eased herself into the chair

Medical Definition

ease

verb

ˈēz 

eased; easing

transitive verb

1

: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens

eased and comforted the sick

2

: to take away or lessen : alleviate

took an aspirin to ease the pain

intransitive verb

: to give freedom or relief (as from pain or discomfort)

a hot bath often eases and relaxes