ease
B2Formal and informal; common in written and spoken contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The state of being comfortable, free from difficulty, pain, or constraint.
To make something less severe, difficult, or painful; to move carefully or gradually.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Both a noun (the state of comfort) and a verb (the act of alleviating). The verb can be transitive (ease pain) or intransitive (ease into a chair).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Spelling of derived forms like "eased/easing" is consistent. The verb in nautical contexts ('to ease the sheets') is more prevalent in BrE historical/literary usage.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'At ease' as a military command is universal.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V n] (ease the pressure)[V adv/prep] (ease back)[V n adv/prep] (ease him into the role)[V] (the pain will ease)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “put/set someone at ease”
- “ill at ease”
- “ease someone's mind”
- “stand at ease”
- “ease off”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new software improved the ease of data management."
Academic
"The study aimed to ease the methodological constraints of prior research."
Everyday
"Can you ease up on the criticism? I'm trying my best."
Technical
"The mechanic eased the bolt out of its seized housing."
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She passed the driving test with surprising ease.
American English
- The ease of online shopping has changed retail.
verb
British English
- The doctor gave her something to ease the discomfort.
American English
- He eased the car into the narrow parking spot.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The chair is for comfort and ease.
- The medicine will ease your headache.
- The government announced measures to ease the economic pressure on families.
- Diplomatic efforts succeeded in easing the long-standing tensions between the two nations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of EASE as 'Effortlessly Achieved Simple Experience.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTY IS A BURDEN / PRESSURE (to ease a burden, ease the pressure)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'ease' (noun/verb of relief) with 'easy' (adjective лёгкий). 'With ease' = легко, but is more formal than 'easily'. The verb 'to ease' is closer to ослабить, смягчить than to облегчать in many contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ease' as an adjective (*an ease solution). Confusing 'ease' (n) with 'easy' (adj). Incorrect preposition: *'feel ease with' should be 'feel at ease with'.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'to make someone feel relaxed and comfortable'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As a noun, it means freedom from difficulty. As a verb, it means to make something less severe or to move carefully.
'Easy' is an adjective describing something not difficult. 'Ease' is primarily a noun (state of comfort) or a verb (to alleviate). You can do something 'with ease' (noun), meaning easily.
No, the correct collocation is 'feel *at* ease' or 'feel ill at ease'.
It spans registers. It's common in everyday speech ('ease the pain') and formal contexts ('ease of access').