Definition of ease in English:

ease

noun iːziz

mass noun

1Absence of difficulty or effort.
she gave up smoking with ease
ease of use
Example sentencesExamples
- Among other things, the ease with which they traveled around the world is striking.
- Both of these items are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and designed in a way that can minimize discomfort but maximize ease of use.
- Safe areas also minimized ‘permeability,’ that is, the ease of entry to and exit from the neighborhood or housing area.
- How has the final sound mixing gone in terms of difficulty or ease?
- Usually everything goes off so well that it looks as if putting together a show of this kind, could be done with effortless ease.
- We observed the ease of communication among focus group women, with one group even claiming that the data collection exercise was therapeutic in itself.
- Given the ease of desktop publishing, use a font that people can read and provide adequate space for writing responses.
- Women retained their rights to manage their own money and property after marriage and could obtain a divorce with the same ease - or difficulty - as a man.
- Presented with a gilt-edged chance, Gardyne attempted to lift his shot over Craig Wight, but the goalkeeper caught the effort with ease.
- It is just as easy to imagine the relative ease of compiling such information when the separate records are entered into online databases.
- Everyone is welcome, though I can't vouch for the ease of finding parking if you're coming in from outside Stanford.
- I was really impressed with the ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality built into the web meeting application.
- Explosive growth has even come to Egyptology, thanks to the ease with which source materials can now be distributed by CD and online.
- The orchestra responds beautifully, handling even the composer's sometimes difficult rhythmic effects with ease.
- The pair handled the difficult combinations with ease, and the horse flowed across the ground.
- A patchwork of conflicting laws will do nothing to improve the ease of use of e-mail communications.
- The absence of long cords and the ease of getting the tool into tight or awkward places are what make cordless tools so valuable.
- Let's get back to Europe now, the financing of these groups, the ease of travel since the European Union dropped travel restrictions.
- More and more, people are opting for the ease of watching the games at home.
- To many industry professionals, though, the exam's difficulty or ease isn't really the point.
Synonyms
effortlessness, no difficulty, no trouble, no bother, facility, facileness, simplicity
deftness, adroitness, dexterity, proficiency, mastery
1. 1.1 Absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise.
  I was always vexed by her self-contained ease
  Example sentencesExamples
  In a report packed with adjectives, another daily claimed that Anna answered questions with effortless ease.
  As he grew smaller down the street, I realized that behind the skater's ease and freedom was a huge amount of control.
  Whether it requires her to be casual, peppy or sensual, Jesse walks the ramp with ease and evident pleasure.
  With the ease of a talented DJ, Thornton engages in a form of culture jamming that is at once global and highly personal.
  Washed and crumpled cotton, silk and linen contribute to a tone of ease and effortless femininity.
  She is a consummate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb.
  Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease.
  He speculates about the personal stories of strangers in bars and offers up tales of his childhood with the ease of a trusted friend.
  The ease and humor that he displayed in his I-do-not-choose-to-run press conference should quiet the put-downs.
  She surmounted the role's many difficulties with ease and grace and imbued the Czech language with particular bite.
  Fortunately, some others navigated through the weekend with ease and good humor.
  You can't spend much time with him without being awed by both his ease in the natural world and his willpower.
  In fact, I told him that you and Regis are two of the people I admire in our business, because of the ease with which you are able to interact with all of your guests.
  Hass is relentless in her challenge to authority, but her real uniqueness lies in her ability to literally cross from one side to the next with an uncanny ease.
  The nearest he got to a criminal act was the day he forgot his house keys and broke into his own home using a credit card with nonchalant ease.
  His natural ease in front of the camera led to a contract with CBS.
  Thomas's rise has been marked as much by her keen sense of timing as by her natural ease on camera.
  But it's not clear to me he quite yet has the ease and command in debate settings that he'll need in a narrowed down race.
  Her face portrayed a picture of ease and peace, of comfort and contentment.
  "Come on in, good looking, " he said with practiced ease.
  Synonyms
  naturalness, casualness, informality, unceremoniousness, lack of reserve, lack of constraint, relaxedness, amiability, affability
2. 1.2 Freedom from worries or problems.
  a life of wealth and ease
  Example sentencesExamples
  As conceived here, his life was a simple one of ease, pleasure, and boundless free time.
  He has caught a glimpse of a new, golden world of wealth and ease, at the center of which stands a lovely and aristocratic woman.
  Their child, they agreed, would lead a life of ease and happiness.
  If he bets on atheism, however, he will have a life of ease and pleasure - a daily ration of brownies and milk.
  Besides, she says, she thought the beauty of a country home lay in its casual, prop-your-feet-up ease.
  This is bad news for the magazine, which, despite its lock on the market and air of wealth and ease, is hardly a cash cow.
  They've joked with soldiers in the darkest hours of human conflict, just as they've celebrated with them in the times of ease and joy.
  Our material ease and the freedoms it has spawned are dangerous illusions, and now comes the reckoning.
  It is relentlessly positive and constantly whispering the mantra of ease and happiness through wealth and the purchase of this or that brand name product.
  She was by then in her late thirties and had lived a life of great wealth and ease.
  I was a child of the suburbs, I felt cheated and robbed of my birthright of ease and pleasure.
  Synonyms
  peace, peacefulness, calmness, tranquillity, composure, serenity, repose, restfulness, quiet, contentment, security, comfort
  affluence, wealth, prosperity, prosperousness, luxury, opulence, plenty, sufficiency
  comfort, cosiness, contentment, content, enjoyment, well-being, freedom from hardship, freedom from troubles
  rare easefulness

verb iːziz

1with object Make (something unpleasant or intense) less serious or severe.
a huge road-building programme to ease congestion
Example sentencesExamples
- Lemongrass and Ginger are both excellent for muscular aches and pains, and together with Geranium, they help ease digestive difficulties.
- The car park will also hopefully ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties.
- Railtrack plans to replace about 25 miles of track and more than 50 sets of points, removing or easing a further 100 more speed restrictions.
- The situation could be considerably eased by the provision of key staff as laid out in the Service Plan.
- The U.S. boom has softened a bit lately, easing some of the pressure on central bankers in both countries to hurry up and raise rates.
- He said network congestion would be eased in Windhoek with the opening of additional base stations.
- Plans to ease parking problems which residents say have been making their lives a misery have been delayed.
- In many cases early disclosure facilitates settlement and eases the burden of expensive litigation.
- Yet for years, European leaders have been pushing for easing or eliminating those very sanctions.
- The stronger rupiah during the first quarter eases the company's foreign debt burden of nearly $1 billion.
- It might cost the state more in the short term, but it would have long-term benefits by easing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the €12 billion-a-year medical service.
- The following tips can help ease financial difficulties.
- The process will test his ability to make good on his promises to use rail to ease Westside traffic congestion.
- Pressure on Sligo's ever increasing housing list could be eased if more derelict houses were repaired, refurbished and re-allocated.
- Train delays and cancellations may be eased by the development of a wireless-based network that helps railway companies use their rolling stock more efficiently.
- The new buildings will form the first phase of plans to extend the school and will enable St Margaret's to offer two classes in the reception intake, easing the school's long waiting lists.
- Gambling restrictions have been eased recently, which makes it easier to open casinos.
- He vehemently denies that season-ticket sales are down, and hopes that their financial predicament can be eased by a run in Europe.
- We worked with the Defense Department to build more facilities to ease the overcrowding there.
- On the other hand, some suggested the result may help ease tensions in strained cross-strait relations.
Synonyms
relieve, alleviate, mitigate, assuage, allay, soothe, soften, palliate, ameliorate, mollify, moderate, tone down, blunt, dull, deaden, numb, take the edge off
lessen, reduce, lighten, diminish
1. 1.1no object Become less serious or severe.
  the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours
  Example sentencesExamples
  The wind began to ease as the evening set in and I cast out the catfish rigs with a little, though not too much, hope.
  A period of austerity, which began to ease in the 1950s, followed World War II.
  The housing crunch may be easing little by little, but that is no excuse for busting people who want to keep the issue of affordable shelter alive.
  The pain was still easing, or he was getting used to it - he wasn't sure.
  He acknowledged, however, that further support may be necessary if the economy fails to pick up when geopolitical tensions had eased.
  The hurt will ease, the pain will be less and there will be happier days ahead.
  It will need care, and you'll have to accept certain limitations, but otherwise do your best to live around the pain until it eases.
  Tensions eased with each passing moment and the three friends began joking with each other.
  The pain eased, settling into a nagging ache, low down.
  The rain began in the early hours and seemed to be easing as late evening approached but the real deluge came as darkness came on.
  As he awoke, the wind began to ease and a chink of sun showed.
  Then the sadness and shame began to ease, and I realised that they were not productive feelings.
  There was no sign this weekend that tensions were easing.
  Water levels began to fall by yesterday morning, however, as the heavy downpour gradually eased.
  Everyone at the table laughed, the tension easing.
  ‘When I get tense, I see the funny side and begin to laugh and then the tension eases,’ he explains.
  The £47.9 million route opened for traffic last week and within hours congestion in the town centre was beginning to ease.
  So there was some friction there, but as time passed, they then started reporting that these frictions had begun to ease and the people united.
  We can't avoid the pain of change and loss, but it eases the more willingly we're able to embrace change.
  This so surprised him that his trembling eased and his breath began to return.
  Synonyms
  abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, quieten, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end
  archaic remit
2. 1.2ease off/upno object Do something with more moderation.
  I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you
  Example sentencesExamples
  The government is showing signs of easing up on building nuclear weapons and controlling foreign aid.
  You're in taper mode, easing off on intensity and volume or setting off on your trip.
  Wanderers are ready to end their interest unless the Newcastle winger eases up on his demands for a three-year contract.
  One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded.
  The Moroccan went clear in the final 30 metres and even had the luxury of easing up before raising two fingers, one for each of his Athens triumphs, as he crossed.
  No one could blame Wicklow for easing off in the last ten minutes and while Roscommon scored 1-2 in that time they never looked like closing the gap.
  The government has been very attentive to the needs of the public sector since coming to office in 1997 and, with Benchmarking II coming down the line, shows no sign of easing off.
  There was considerable pressure from the United States as well for him to ease up and to offer humanitarian relief.
  If road deaths decrease you don't ease up on road safety.
  In a sense, easing up on training can improve performance.
  The bully pulpit can be grabbed if he combines cutting tax rates with lowering interest rates and easing up on Fed monetary policy.
  Just because one tyrant is being edged closer to retirement doesn't mean that other members of the club are easing up on their coercion.
  At an age, 39 years, when most other athletes are easing up and participating at veterans' level, Anne is probably running better that she ever has in her life.
  Over 60 years of work are documented here, and Davie shows no sign of easing off.
  He tells jokes pretty well, though he could do with easing up on the old self-satisfied smirk after the punchline.
  However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off.
  With all this, it seems unlikely that he would care to appease his critics by easing up on the self-promotion.
  Back today after a 21-day ban for easing up prematurely and being beaten on a clear leader at Pontefract, he has a good chance at Redcar.
  It's attitude that has propelled the band into super-stardom and there's no sign of them easing up on it.
  Now approaching her 80th birthday, she shows no sign of easing up - and it's Peggy who can be relied upon to open the hospice's charity shop each morning.
3. 1.3 Make (something) happen more easily; facilitate.
  Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making
  Example sentencesExamples
  The same materials are expected to be used in the larger extension, which will have a conveyor link to the existing facility to ease the transfer of airfreight.
  I guess it's some kind of human body defense mechanism, keeping my eye closed to reduce the pain and ease the ‘healing process’.
  Behind the slick new steel and glass facades, what can you expect in the way of facilities to ease the MBA learning experience?
  Motivations were nonetheless always framed by political and economic climates, and the availability of familial and governmental assistance in easing the journey.
  The rounding facility was probably included to ease transition to the regulations when they first came into force.
  During most of this period, we didn't enjoy the computer facilities now available to ease the job of an investor.
  He urged Government to prioritise the provision of facilities that would ease the education and employment access of the blind.
  Such simplified set-up could ease the dissemination of a simple, indirect challenge test for BHR in young children.
  Incorporating learning activities into an everyday routine can help ease the transition to kindergarten.
  Some were installed for mountaineers, to ease the approaches to climbs, and some to facilitate the passage of troops during the First World War.
  Cariss is hoping that Nelson's success will encourage a potential sponsor to step forward and ease his transition into the pro game.
  Synonyms
  facilitate, make easy, make easier, expedite, speed up, assist, help, aid, advance, further, forward, smooth the way for, clear the way for, simplify
4. 1.4no object (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount.
  shares eased 6p to 224p
  Example sentencesExamples
  But now that meat prices are easing, growth figures to be much tougher.
  After huge spikes in late summer, gas prices have eased just a bit.
  But as new coal mines are developed, prices will ease somewhat.
  However, the rate of inflation eased to a five-month low and was well below the average for 2005 so far.
  While oil prices have eased in the past two weeks in dollar terms the cost of oil in euros has gone above the €40 mark for the first time.
  Crude oil and refined product prices have eased sufficiently for us to be able to pass it on at the pump.
  The report came amid improving macroeconomic indicators as inflation has eased, interest rates are down and the rupiah has strengthened.
  Inflation is easing faster than expected, while economic performances abroad and at home are uncertain.
  Oil prices are easing in the face of rising inventories.
  However, after hitting new record highs, prices eased yesterday, raising hopes that they might start to ease back to more moderate levels.
  Relying on the appreciating euro exchange rate to ease upward pressure on prices is no excuse for real initiatives.
  Plus, gas prices should ease as seasonal demand slows.
  Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows.
  They feel that though interest rates should ease, banks may not be in a position to slash their lending rates.
  The survey highlighted the midlands as a potential growth area for retailers, but it did expect this growth rate to ease over the next six months.
  This goes with other signs that house price inflation is easing and that the housing market has passed the peak of the boom.
  In later trading the rate eased to $1.2017 as markets took a harder look at the realities facing the US.
  House price inflation needs to ease to a rate of 6 per cent if a disorderly correction is to be avoided.
  The company said that as interest rates start to rise prices will ease.
  ‘Inflation will ease over the year, but we are not expecting widespread house price falls,’ he said.
  Synonyms
  decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, lower, moderate, soothe, relieve, dampen, calm, tone down, alleviate, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate, temper, appease, attenuate
5. 1.5ease something away/down/offNautical Slacken a rope or sail.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The ship ran aground for three minutes before it was eased off.
2no object, with adverbial of direction Move carefully or gradually.
I eased down the slope with care
Wanderers will be keen to ease away from the relegation zone
with object and adverbial of direction she eased off her shoes
Example sentencesExamples
- She winced as she eased herself into the hot water.
- Lorries advertising this and that Irish product or activity were slowly easing themselves into their places, causing disruption to the traffic.
- After a moment or two, he eased himself up and looked over the edge.
- Confused, I eased myself from the water and walked round the pool edge, flabby and dripping.
- Balancing the car on the throttle and I eased myself around for a couple of laps to familiarise myself with the setup.
- Carefully, she moved a hand forward and eased back the white sheets.
- On his first competitive outing in the 2002 Ferrari, he lacked that crucial edge to ease ahead of Montoya, finishing one-tenth off pole.
- Carefully, she eased over across the floor to the door, then moving as fast as she could, she swung it open.
- He slowly eases his waist forward to demonstrate.
- Dustin eased himself over the edge, searching for a foothold, which he soon found.
- Opening the door she eased carefully into the passenger seat with her eyes never leaving him.
- She began easing over to the payphone, trying to listen in on his conversation.
- Murmuring soft words of comfort and nonsense, she eased herself carefully along the wall, bringing her hand along the side of the horse.
- The woman eased herself into the chair opposite him.
- Slipping his feet over one end, he gingerly eased himself down.
- She staggered to the door and eased it open, blinking irritably.
- She leaned forward to ease her wrist out of his grip.
- At about five hundred yards he eased back on the throttle, the bows slowly lowered.
- ‘Sure do,’ he replied, easing himself up from his chair, his movements stiff.
- His voice was anxious as he eased closer to her and tightened his hold on her hand.
- The new Greek island ferry - retired from the Baltic only last year - eases her stern against the pier.
- He eased the stick forward and aimed for the river.
Synonyms
move slowly, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide
1. 2.1ease someone intowith object Introduce someone gradually to (an activity)
  he brought in someone new and eased them into the job
  Example sentencesExamples
  In instrumental form, it's an epic in its own right, easing you into a laidback mood, and generally making you feel good.
  Mac sighed and took a step closer, shrugging slightly to help ease Bryce into accepting.
  This would allow Boston to ease Youkilis into the majors, which would be a good thing because he's probably not ready to be there full-time yet.
  By the time Dr Elliot has eased herself into the job, it will be time to hand over.
  Here's a roundup of helpful tips and resources gathered from CalCPA members to ease you into yet another tax season.
  The Falcons would be wise to ease Vick into the lineup, but that will be tough because the fans want to see him sooner rather than later.
  I am back in training now, although I am just easing myself into it and starting to pick things up.
  It is effortlessly uplifting, totally breezy and an ideal way of easing you into what follows.
  The best way to approach him could be to ease him into the subject.
  It was aimed at easing her into a life of independence as she approached 16.
  The team has eased Wuertz into the picture, making sure he hasn't had to come into games with runners on base.
  Christmas Eve strikes a more gentle note, with Traditional Musical entertainment easing you into the big day.
  However, there are some statistics that show that newcomers to nursing are not being introduced in a way that eases them into the workplace.
  I think we need to ease Richard into a job with the Civil Service.
  This film does an excellent job of easing you into its world.
  It remembers your previous volume setting just like a normal radio, but instead of jumping to that volume it slowly fades up to it, easing you into whatever happens to be playing at the moment.
  Three Staunton penalties eased Ireland into the game and he converted his own try and the first of left wing Gary Brown's two.
  He has been easing himself into the role since then, working alongside Good to develop a vision and strategy for the company.
  And in this smooth manner he eased Gödel into conversation.
  One pub chain will offer free champagne to shellfish buyers to ease them into a romantic mood.
2. 2.2ease someone outwith object Gradually exclude someone from a post, especially by devious or subtle manoeuvres.
  after the scandal he was eased out of his job
  Example sentencesExamples
  It looks more and more as if he was eased out not so much because of what he did, but because certain elements in the Labour Party wanted rid of him.
  Since you can't fire the current manager, ease him out by finding a cushy, better paying sinecure elsewhere.
  I managed to ease him out by insisting on demonstrations that had to be practised in rehearsals and soon we dropped the show.
  Although the company later eased him out - due to his conflicting newspaper interests - his new schedule largely survived and prospered.
  ‘Two weeks ago, I said, ‘Put together a plan to ease her out; make arrangements.’
  The big question now is whether he was eased out early over this deal and whether the board will ever investigate how this happen.
  It's high time he was eased out.
  At the time of the Agreement, they were actually afraid that they would be eased out,’ Murphy said.
  He's rumoured to be injured, but talk suggests that his ‘injury’ is being talked up so as to ease him out without humiliating him.
  The book is valuable for its recounting of the way in which Deng saved his reform program and slowly eased the older leadership generations out of power.
  They talk as if the anchorman was eased out of his job merely for some error of fact such as any journalist is statistically certain to make every now and then.
  But, as I say, the plan is to ease them out of that.
  Adds another BCC insider: ‘Nobody's easing Wayne out yet.’
  So, was this just a way of easing me out early, without admitting it?
  The Army, contrary to perception, tends to ease them out of frontline duty.
  Unfortunately though, I think it is unlikely that he will be eased out soon, unless of course he calls it a day after his 100th test.
  It is ironic that after he guided the national team to a rare LG Cup triumph in 2002, there is an effort now to ease him out.
  When Cedric was eased out, Rajinder Singh, basking on the victory as junior coach, secured the plum post of the chief coach for the senior team.
  I have heard it said that you were eased out of Washington, perhaps at British suggestion, because your independence made you unmanageable.
  But if Wilson is happy to continue in Belfast, RBS would have no good reason to ease him out.

Phrases

at (one's) ease

1Free from worry or awkwardness; relaxed.
she was never quite at ease with Phil
Example sentencesExamples
- It's informal and friendly and sets me at my ease immediately.
- I could tell by our team's attitude that they seemed to be totally at ease when they took the field.
- The only way to set your mind at ease before purchasing a supplement is to check out the facts first.
- The master of ceremonies will welcome each of the contestants in turn, set them at their ease, and introduced the musical item that each will render.
- The main courses arrived swiftly, with the kind of faultlessly friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive service that always puts you at your ease in a restaurant.
- He had a great way with people, and had the remarkable ability to put customers at their ease.
- With Will it's so easy not to feel intimidated because he puts you at ease.
- Now vulnerable people can feel more at ease knowing that recruits are signing up to stop doorstep con-artists.
- He was mild-mannered and polite, attempting light humour to put me at my ease.
- The door slammed shut behind him and I jumped, but Mother seemed perfectly at ease.
Synonyms
relaxed, calm, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, content, happy
1. 1.1In a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command)
  all right, stand at ease!
  Example sentencesExamples
  The soldiers at Micklegate Bar are not marching but are stood at ease, and may well have been from the Army Cadet Corps.
  I halted in front of the sentry box, turned to the front and stood at ease.
  Both girls ceased their jitters and tried to stand at ease, gnawing away at their lips.
  To my surprise, he was standing at ease, talking to an old lady who was seated on one of the chairs in the alcove.
  He joined Neal, Arlyn and Lori, standing at ease on the other side of the stage.

ease someone's mind

Alleviate someone's anxiety.
concentrating on the stitching helped to ease her mind
Example sentencesExamples
- It was a pleasure meeting you, sir: I hope I have eased your mind about Lord Robert.
- ‘Well someone had to be on this island to plant the treasure,’ Dara explained, easing his mind.
- Glancing around the dinner, I noticed that it was fairly empty, which somehow eased my mind.
- I'm glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree.
- The rattling noise began to disappear, and that eased his mind greatly, knowing that he was only a little way away from turning into the next street he needed.
- Thank you so much for writing, you have eased my mind considerably on the topic of my brother.
- This will help your weight loss by easing your mind and tricking your body's metabolism and avoid plateauing.
- I hope that some of these wedding vow samples have eased your mind somewhat and maybe even given you a few ideas to use for your own vows.
- I went to a church service in the village last night and that eased my mind.
- Listening to a toad croak, concentrating on it, eased his mind.
Synonyms
calm, quieten, pacify, soothe, comfort, bring comfort to, give solace to, solace, console

Derivatives

easer

noun

Origin

Middle English: from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens 'lying close by', present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise 'at ease'; in later use from the noun.

easy from Middle English:
Both easy and ease (Middle English) go back via Old French aisier to Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, source also of adjacent (Late Middle English). Easy-peasy ‘childishly easy’ is only recorded from the 1970s. The ‘peasy’ is simply a rhyme and the childish word intensifies the sense.

Rhymes

Achinese, Ambonese, appease, Assamese, Balinese, Belize, Beninese, Bernese, bêtise, Bhutanese, breeze, Burmese, Cantonese, Castries, cerise, cheese, chemise, Chinese, Cingalese, Cleese, Congolese, Denise, Dodecanese, éminence grise, expertise, Faroese, freeze, Fries, frieze, Gabonese, Genoese, Goanese, Guyanese, he's, Japanese, Javanese, jeez, journalese, Kanarese, Keys, Lebanese, lees, legalese, Louise, Macanese, Madurese, Maltese, marquise, Milanese, Nepalese, officialese, overseas, pease, Pekinese, Peloponnese, Piedmontese, please, Portuguese, Pyrenees, reprise, Rwandese, seise, seize, Senegalese, she's, Siamese, Sienese, Sikkimese, Sinhalese, sleaze, sneeze, squeeze, Stockton-on-Tees, Sudanese, Sundanese, Surinamese, Tabriz, Taiwanese, tease, Tees, telegraphese, these, Timorese, Togolese, trapeze, valise, Viennese, Vietnamese, vocalese, wheeze

Definition of ease in US English:

ease

nounizēz

1Absence of difficulty or effort.
he gave up tobacco and alcohol with ease
the guitar's versatility and ease of handling
Example sentencesExamples
- Explosive growth has even come to Egyptology, thanks to the ease with which source materials can now be distributed by CD and online.
- Among other things, the ease with which they traveled around the world is striking.
- It is just as easy to imagine the relative ease of compiling such information when the separate records are entered into online databases.
- Women retained their rights to manage their own money and property after marriage and could obtain a divorce with the same ease - or difficulty - as a man.
- Presented with a gilt-edged chance, Gardyne attempted to lift his shot over Craig Wight, but the goalkeeper caught the effort with ease.
- Usually everything goes off so well that it looks as if putting together a show of this kind, could be done with effortless ease.
- Given the ease of desktop publishing, use a font that people can read and provide adequate space for writing responses.
- Safe areas also minimized ‘permeability,’ that is, the ease of entry to and exit from the neighborhood or housing area.
- I was really impressed with the ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality built into the web meeting application.
- More and more, people are opting for the ease of watching the games at home.
- The pair handled the difficult combinations with ease, and the horse flowed across the ground.
- Everyone is welcome, though I can't vouch for the ease of finding parking if you're coming in from outside Stanford.
- The orchestra responds beautifully, handling even the composer's sometimes difficult rhythmic effects with ease.
- Let's get back to Europe now, the financing of these groups, the ease of travel since the European Union dropped travel restrictions.
- A patchwork of conflicting laws will do nothing to improve the ease of use of e-mail communications.
- Both of these items are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and designed in a way that can minimize discomfort but maximize ease of use.
- The absence of long cords and the ease of getting the tool into tight or awkward places are what make cordless tools so valuable.
- How has the final sound mixing gone in terms of difficulty or ease?
- We observed the ease of communication among focus group women, with one group even claiming that the data collection exercise was therapeutic in itself.
- To many industry professionals, though, the exam's difficulty or ease isn't really the point.
Synonyms
effortlessness, no difficulty, no trouble, no bother, facility, facileness, simplicity
1. 1.1 Absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise.
  I was always vexed by her self-contained ease
  Example sentencesExamples
  "Come on in, good looking, " he said with practiced ease.
  His natural ease in front of the camera led to a contract with CBS.
  Washed and crumpled cotton, silk and linen contribute to a tone of ease and effortless femininity.
  As he grew smaller down the street, I realized that behind the skater's ease and freedom was a huge amount of control.
  The ease and humor that he displayed in his I-do-not-choose-to-run press conference should quiet the put-downs.
  She surmounted the role's many difficulties with ease and grace and imbued the Czech language with particular bite.
  In a report packed with adjectives, another daily claimed that Anna answered questions with effortless ease.
  Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease.
  Thomas's rise has been marked as much by her keen sense of timing as by her natural ease on camera.
  But it's not clear to me he quite yet has the ease and command in debate settings that he'll need in a narrowed down race.
  Whether it requires her to be casual, peppy or sensual, Jesse walks the ramp with ease and evident pleasure.
  Her face portrayed a picture of ease and peace, of comfort and contentment.
  He speculates about the personal stories of strangers in bars and offers up tales of his childhood with the ease of a trusted friend.
  You can't spend much time with him without being awed by both his ease in the natural world and his willpower.
  With the ease of a talented DJ, Thornton engages in a form of culture jamming that is at once global and highly personal.
  Fortunately, some others navigated through the weekend with ease and good humor.
  The nearest he got to a criminal act was the day he forgot his house keys and broke into his own home using a credit card with nonchalant ease.
  Hass is relentless in her challenge to authority, but her real uniqueness lies in her ability to literally cross from one side to the next with an uncanny ease.
  She is a consummate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb.
  In fact, I told him that you and Regis are two of the people I admire in our business, because of the ease with which you are able to interact with all of your guests.
  Synonyms
  naturalness, casualness, informality, unceremoniousness, lack of reserve, lack of constraint, relaxedness, amiability, affability
2. 1.2 Freedom from worries or problems, especially about one's material situation.
  a life of wealth and ease
  Example sentencesExamples
  This is bad news for the magazine, which, despite its lock on the market and air of wealth and ease, is hardly a cash cow.
  They've joked with soldiers in the darkest hours of human conflict, just as they've celebrated with them in the times of ease and joy.
  She was by then in her late thirties and had lived a life of great wealth and ease.
  Their child, they agreed, would lead a life of ease and happiness.
  I was a child of the suburbs, I felt cheated and robbed of my birthright of ease and pleasure.
  Our material ease and the freedoms it has spawned are dangerous illusions, and now comes the reckoning.
  He has caught a glimpse of a new, golden world of wealth and ease, at the center of which stands a lovely and aristocratic woman.
  It is relentlessly positive and constantly whispering the mantra of ease and happiness through wealth and the purchase of this or that brand name product.
  Besides, she says, she thought the beauty of a country home lay in its casual, prop-your-feet-up ease.
  If he bets on atheism, however, he will have a life of ease and pleasure - a daily ration of brownies and milk.
  As conceived here, his life was a simple one of ease, pleasure, and boundless free time.
  Synonyms
  peace, peacefulness, calmness, tranquillity, composure, serenity, repose, restfulness, quiet, contentment, security, comfort
  affluence, wealth, prosperity, prosperousness, luxury, opulence, plenty, sufficiency

verbizēz

1with object Make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe.
a huge road-building program to ease congestion
Example sentencesExamples
- The new buildings will form the first phase of plans to extend the school and will enable St Margaret's to offer two classes in the reception intake, easing the school's long waiting lists.
- Gambling restrictions have been eased recently, which makes it easier to open casinos.
- Pressure on Sligo's ever increasing housing list could be eased if more derelict houses were repaired, refurbished and re-allocated.
- On the other hand, some suggested the result may help ease tensions in strained cross-strait relations.
- The U.S. boom has softened a bit lately, easing some of the pressure on central bankers in both countries to hurry up and raise rates.
- He vehemently denies that season-ticket sales are down, and hopes that their financial predicament can be eased by a run in Europe.
- The car park will also hopefully ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties.
- Lemongrass and Ginger are both excellent for muscular aches and pains, and together with Geranium, they help ease digestive difficulties.
- The situation could be considerably eased by the provision of key staff as laid out in the Service Plan.
- The stronger rupiah during the first quarter eases the company's foreign debt burden of nearly $1 billion.
- In many cases early disclosure facilitates settlement and eases the burden of expensive litigation.
- He said network congestion would be eased in Windhoek with the opening of additional base stations.
- Railtrack plans to replace about 25 miles of track and more than 50 sets of points, removing or easing a further 100 more speed restrictions.
- The following tips can help ease financial difficulties.
- We worked with the Defense Department to build more facilities to ease the overcrowding there.
- Train delays and cancellations may be eased by the development of a wireless-based network that helps railway companies use their rolling stock more efficiently.
- It might cost the state more in the short term, but it would have long-term benefits by easing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the €12 billion-a-year medical service.
- Plans to ease parking problems which residents say have been making their lives a misery have been delayed.
- Yet for years, European leaders have been pushing for easing or eliminating those very sanctions.
- The process will test his ability to make good on his promises to use rail to ease Westside traffic congestion.
Synonyms
relieve, alleviate, mitigate, assuage, allay, soothe, soften, palliate, ameliorate, mollify, moderate, tone down, blunt, dull, deaden, numb, take the edge off
1. 1.1no object Become less serious or severe.
  the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours
  Example sentencesExamples
  Everyone at the table laughed, the tension easing.
  The rain began in the early hours and seemed to be easing as late evening approached but the real deluge came as darkness came on.
  The housing crunch may be easing little by little, but that is no excuse for busting people who want to keep the issue of affordable shelter alive.
  So there was some friction there, but as time passed, they then started reporting that these frictions had begun to ease and the people united.
  ‘When I get tense, I see the funny side and begin to laugh and then the tension eases,’ he explains.
  He acknowledged, however, that further support may be necessary if the economy fails to pick up when geopolitical tensions had eased.
  The hurt will ease, the pain will be less and there will be happier days ahead.
  The wind began to ease as the evening set in and I cast out the catfish rigs with a little, though not too much, hope.
  This so surprised him that his trembling eased and his breath began to return.
  A period of austerity, which began to ease in the 1950s, followed World War II.
  We can't avoid the pain of change and loss, but it eases the more willingly we're able to embrace change.
  The £47.9 million route opened for traffic last week and within hours congestion in the town centre was beginning to ease.
  The pain eased, settling into a nagging ache, low down.
  There was no sign this weekend that tensions were easing.
  Then the sadness and shame began to ease, and I realised that they were not productive feelings.
  Tensions eased with each passing moment and the three friends began joking with each other.
  As he awoke, the wind began to ease and a chink of sun showed.
  It will need care, and you'll have to accept certain limitations, but otherwise do your best to live around the pain until it eases.
  Water levels began to fall by yesterday morning, however, as the heavy downpour gradually eased.
  The pain was still easing, or he was getting used to it - he wasn't sure.
  Synonyms
  abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, quieten, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end
2. 1.2ease upno object Relax one's efforts; do something with more moderation.
  I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you
  Example sentencesExamples
  Just because one tyrant is being edged closer to retirement doesn't mean that other members of the club are easing up on their coercion.
  If road deaths decrease you don't ease up on road safety.
  The Moroccan went clear in the final 30 metres and even had the luxury of easing up before raising two fingers, one for each of his Athens triumphs, as he crossed.
  Now approaching her 80th birthday, she shows no sign of easing up - and it's Peggy who can be relied upon to open the hospice's charity shop each morning.
  There was considerable pressure from the United States as well for him to ease up and to offer humanitarian relief.
  Wanderers are ready to end their interest unless the Newcastle winger eases up on his demands for a three-year contract.
  The government is showing signs of easing up on building nuclear weapons and controlling foreign aid.
  With all this, it seems unlikely that he would care to appease his critics by easing up on the self-promotion.
  Over 60 years of work are documented here, and Davie shows no sign of easing off.
  Back today after a 21-day ban for easing up prematurely and being beaten on a clear leader at Pontefract, he has a good chance at Redcar.
  You're in taper mode, easing off on intensity and volume or setting off on your trip.
  He tells jokes pretty well, though he could do with easing up on the old self-satisfied smirk after the punchline.
  In a sense, easing up on training can improve performance.
  At an age, 39 years, when most other athletes are easing up and participating at veterans' level, Anne is probably running better that she ever has in her life.
  No one could blame Wicklow for easing off in the last ten minutes and while Roscommon scored 1-2 in that time they never looked like closing the gap.
  It's attitude that has propelled the band into super-stardom and there's no sign of them easing up on it.
  However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off.
  The government has been very attentive to the needs of the public sector since coming to office in 1997 and, with Benchmarking II coming down the line, shows no sign of easing off.
  The bully pulpit can be grabbed if he combines cutting tax rates with lowering interest rates and easing up on Fed monetary policy.
  One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded.
3. 1.3 Make (something) happen more easily; facilitate.
  Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making
  Example sentencesExamples
  Motivations were nonetheless always framed by political and economic climates, and the availability of familial and governmental assistance in easing the journey.
  Behind the slick new steel and glass facades, what can you expect in the way of facilities to ease the MBA learning experience?
  The rounding facility was probably included to ease transition to the regulations when they first came into force.
  Incorporating learning activities into an everyday routine can help ease the transition to kindergarten.
  Some were installed for mountaineers, to ease the approaches to climbs, and some to facilitate the passage of troops during the First World War.
  Such simplified set-up could ease the dissemination of a simple, indirect challenge test for BHR in young children.
  The same materials are expected to be used in the larger extension, which will have a conveyor link to the existing facility to ease the transfer of airfreight.
  He urged Government to prioritise the provision of facilities that would ease the education and employment access of the blind.
  I guess it's some kind of human body defense mechanism, keeping my eye closed to reduce the pain and ease the ‘healing process’.
  During most of this period, we didn't enjoy the computer facilities now available to ease the job of an investor.
  Cariss is hoping that Nelson's success will encourage a potential sponsor to step forward and ease his transition into the pro game.
  Synonyms
  facilitate, make easy, make easier, expedite, speed up, assist, help, aid, advance, further, forward, smooth the way for, clear the way for, simplify
4. 1.4no object (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount.
  these shares should be bought and tucked away for when interest rates ease
  a slight easing of inflation
  Example sentencesExamples
  Crude oil and refined product prices have eased sufficiently for us to be able to pass it on at the pump.
  In later trading the rate eased to $1.2017 as markets took a harder look at the realities facing the US.
  The report came amid improving macroeconomic indicators as inflation has eased, interest rates are down and the rupiah has strengthened.
  House price inflation needs to ease to a rate of 6 per cent if a disorderly correction is to be avoided.
  Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows.
  Inflation is easing faster than expected, while economic performances abroad and at home are uncertain.
  However, after hitting new record highs, prices eased yesterday, raising hopes that they might start to ease back to more moderate levels.
  The company said that as interest rates start to rise prices will ease.
  Oil prices are easing in the face of rising inventories.
  But now that meat prices are easing, growth figures to be much tougher.
  They feel that though interest rates should ease, banks may not be in a position to slash their lending rates.
  However, the rate of inflation eased to a five-month low and was well below the average for 2005 so far.
  While oil prices have eased in the past two weeks in dollar terms the cost of oil in euros has gone above the €40 mark for the first time.
  But as new coal mines are developed, prices will ease somewhat.
  Plus, gas prices should ease as seasonal demand slows.
  The survey highlighted the midlands as a potential growth area for retailers, but it did expect this growth rate to ease over the next six months.
  ‘Inflation will ease over the year, but we are not expecting widespread house price falls,’ he said.
  This goes with other signs that house price inflation is easing and that the housing market has passed the peak of the boom.
  Relying on the appreciating euro exchange rate to ease upward pressure on prices is no excuse for real initiatives.
  After huge spikes in late summer, gas prices have eased just a bit.
  Synonyms
  decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, lower, moderate, soothe, relieve, dampen, calm, tone down, alleviate, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate, temper, appease, attenuate
5. 1.5ease something away/down/offNautical Slacken a rope or sail.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The ship ran aground for three minutes before it was eased off.
2no object, with adverbial of direction Move carefully, gradually, or gently.
I eased down the slope with care
the boat eased away from the harbor
with object the pilot eased the throttle back
Example sentencesExamples
- Opening the door she eased carefully into the passenger seat with her eyes never leaving him.
- Carefully, she moved a hand forward and eased back the white sheets.
- The woman eased herself into the chair opposite him.
- She staggered to the door and eased it open, blinking irritably.
- On his first competitive outing in the 2002 Ferrari, he lacked that crucial edge to ease ahead of Montoya, finishing one-tenth off pole.
- Balancing the car on the throttle and I eased myself around for a couple of laps to familiarise myself with the setup.
- He eased the stick forward and aimed for the river.
- Dustin eased himself over the edge, searching for a foothold, which he soon found.
- After a moment or two, he eased himself up and looked over the edge.
- She began easing over to the payphone, trying to listen in on his conversation.
- The new Greek island ferry - retired from the Baltic only last year - eases her stern against the pier.
- She leaned forward to ease her wrist out of his grip.
- ‘Sure do,’ he replied, easing himself up from his chair, his movements stiff.
- Confused, I eased myself from the water and walked round the pool edge, flabby and dripping.
- His voice was anxious as he eased closer to her and tightened his hold on her hand.
- At about five hundred yards he eased back on the throttle, the bows slowly lowered.
- Slipping his feet over one end, he gingerly eased himself down.
- Carefully, she eased over across the floor to the door, then moving as fast as she could, she swung it open.
- Lorries advertising this and that Irish product or activity were slowly easing themselves into their places, causing disruption to the traffic.
- He slowly eases his waist forward to demonstrate.
- Murmuring soft words of comfort and nonsense, she eased herself carefully along the wall, bringing her hand along the side of the horse.
- She winced as she eased herself into the hot water.
Synonyms
move slowly, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide
1. 2.1ease someone outwith object Gradually exclude someone from a post or place, especially by devious or subtle maneuvers.
  after the scandal he was eased out of his job
  Example sentencesExamples
  Since you can't fire the current manager, ease him out by finding a cushy, better paying sinecure elsewhere.
  I have heard it said that you were eased out of Washington, perhaps at British suggestion, because your independence made you unmanageable.
  They talk as if the anchorman was eased out of his job merely for some error of fact such as any journalist is statistically certain to make every now and then.
  When Cedric was eased out, Rajinder Singh, basking on the victory as junior coach, secured the plum post of the chief coach for the senior team.
  At the time of the Agreement, they were actually afraid that they would be eased out,’ Murphy said.
  It is ironic that after he guided the national team to a rare LG Cup triumph in 2002, there is an effort now to ease him out.
  So, was this just a way of easing me out early, without admitting it?
  I managed to ease him out by insisting on demonstrations that had to be practised in rehearsals and soon we dropped the show.
  The book is valuable for its recounting of the way in which Deng saved his reform program and slowly eased the older leadership generations out of power.
  Although the company later eased him out - due to his conflicting newspaper interests - his new schedule largely survived and prospered.
  Adds another BCC insider: ‘Nobody's easing Wayne out yet.’
  But if Wilson is happy to continue in Belfast, RBS would have no good reason to ease him out.
  It looks more and more as if he was eased out not so much because of what he did, but because certain elements in the Labour Party wanted rid of him.
  But, as I say, the plan is to ease them out of that.
  He's rumoured to be injured, but talk suggests that his ‘injury’ is being talked up so as to ease him out without humiliating him.
  The Army, contrary to perception, tends to ease them out of frontline duty.
  Unfortunately though, I think it is unlikely that he will be eased out soon, unless of course he calls it a day after his 100th test.
  ‘Two weeks ago, I said, ‘Put together a plan to ease her out; make arrangements.’
  The big question now is whether he was eased out early over this deal and whether the board will ever investigate how this happen.
  It's high time he was eased out.

Phrases

at (one's) ease

1Free from worry, awkwardness, or problems; relaxed.
she was never quite at ease with Phil
Example sentencesExamples
- I could tell by our team's attitude that they seemed to be totally at ease when they took the field.
- With Will it's so easy not to feel intimidated because he puts you at ease.
- Now vulnerable people can feel more at ease knowing that recruits are signing up to stop doorstep con-artists.
- The master of ceremonies will welcome each of the contestants in turn, set them at their ease, and introduced the musical item that each will render.
- The door slammed shut behind him and I jumped, but Mother seemed perfectly at ease.
- The main courses arrived swiftly, with the kind of faultlessly friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive service that always puts you at your ease in a restaurant.
- It's informal and friendly and sets me at my ease immediately.
- He was mild-mannered and polite, attempting light humour to put me at my ease.
- The only way to set your mind at ease before purchasing a supplement is to check out the facts first.
- He had a great way with people, and had the remarkable ability to put customers at their ease.
Synonyms
relaxed, calm, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, content, happy
1. 1.1In a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command)
  all right, stand at ease!
  Example sentencesExamples
  Both girls ceased their jitters and tried to stand at ease, gnawing away at their lips.
  He joined Neal, Arlyn and Lori, standing at ease on the other side of the stage.
  I halted in front of the sentry box, turned to the front and stood at ease.
  To my surprise, he was standing at ease, talking to an old lady who was seated on one of the chairs in the alcove.
  The soldiers at Micklegate Bar are not marching but are stood at ease, and may well have been from the Army Cadet Corps.

ease someone's mind

Alleviate someone's anxiety.
Example sentencesExamples
- I hope that some of these wedding vow samples have eased your mind somewhat and maybe even given you a few ideas to use for your own vows.
- The rattling noise began to disappear, and that eased his mind greatly, knowing that he was only a little way away from turning into the next street he needed.
- It was a pleasure meeting you, sir: I hope I have eased your mind about Lord Robert.
- Listening to a toad croak, concentrating on it, eased his mind.
- This will help your weight loss by easing your mind and tricking your body's metabolism and avoid plateauing.
- I went to a church service in the village last night and that eased my mind.
- Glancing around the dinner, I noticed that it was fairly empty, which somehow eased my mind.
- I'm glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree.
- ‘Well someone had to be on this island to plant the treasure,’ Dara explained, easing his mind.
- Thank you so much for writing, you have eased my mind considerably on the topic of my brother.
Synonyms
calm, quieten, pacify, soothe, comfort, bring comfort to, give solace to, solace, console

Origin

Middle English: from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise ‘at ease’; in later use from the noun.

单词	ease
释义	Definition of ease in English: ease noun iːziz mass noun 1Absence of difficulty or effort. she gave up smoking with ease ease of use Example sentencesExamples Among other things, the ease with which they traveled around the world is striking. Both of these items are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and designed in a way that can minimize discomfort but maximize ease of use. Safe areas also minimized ‘permeability,’ that is, the ease of entry to and exit from the neighborhood or housing area. How has the final sound mixing gone in terms of difficulty or ease? Usually everything goes off so well that it looks as if putting together a show of this kind, could be done with effortless ease. We observed the ease of communication among focus group women, with one group even claiming that the data collection exercise was therapeutic in itself. Given the ease of desktop publishing, use a font that people can read and provide adequate space for writing responses. Women retained their rights to manage their own money and property after marriage and could obtain a divorce with the same ease - or difficulty - as a man. Presented with a gilt-edged chance, Gardyne attempted to lift his shot over Craig Wight, but the goalkeeper caught the effort with ease. It is just as easy to imagine the relative ease of compiling such information when the separate records are entered into online databases. Everyone is welcome, though I can't vouch for the ease of finding parking if you're coming in from outside Stanford. I was really impressed with the ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality built into the web meeting application. Explosive growth has even come to Egyptology, thanks to the ease with which source materials can now be distributed by CD and online. The orchestra responds beautifully, handling even the composer's sometimes difficult rhythmic effects with ease. The pair handled the difficult combinations with ease, and the horse flowed across the ground. A patchwork of conflicting laws will do nothing to improve the ease of use of e-mail communications. The absence of long cords and the ease of getting the tool into tight or awkward places are what make cordless tools so valuable. Let's get back to Europe now, the financing of these groups, the ease of travel since the European Union dropped travel restrictions. More and more, people are opting for the ease of watching the games at home. To many industry professionals, though, the exam's difficulty or ease isn't really the point. Synonyms effortlessness, no difficulty, no trouble, no bother, facility, facileness, simplicity deftness, adroitness, dexterity, proficiency, mastery 1.1 Absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise. I was always vexed by her self-contained ease Example sentencesExamples In a report packed with adjectives, another daily claimed that Anna answered questions with effortless ease. As he grew smaller down the street, I realized that behind the skater's ease and freedom was a huge amount of control. Whether it requires her to be casual, peppy or sensual, Jesse walks the ramp with ease and evident pleasure. With the ease of a talented DJ, Thornton engages in a form of culture jamming that is at once global and highly personal. Washed and crumpled cotton, silk and linen contribute to a tone of ease and effortless femininity. She is a consummate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb. Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease. He speculates about the personal stories of strangers in bars and offers up tales of his childhood with the ease of a trusted friend. The ease and humor that he displayed in his I-do-not-choose-to-run press conference should quiet the put-downs. She surmounted the role's many difficulties with ease and grace and imbued the Czech language with particular bite. Fortunately, some others navigated through the weekend with ease and good humor. You can't spend much time with him without being awed by both his ease in the natural world and his willpower. In fact, I told him that you and Regis are two of the people I admire in our business, because of the ease with which you are able to interact with all of your guests. Hass is relentless in her challenge to authority, but her real uniqueness lies in her ability to literally cross from one side to the next with an uncanny ease. The nearest he got to a criminal act was the day he forgot his house keys and broke into his own home using a credit card with nonchalant ease. His natural ease in front of the camera led to a contract with CBS. Thomas's rise has been marked as much by her keen sense of timing as by her natural ease on camera. But it's not clear to me he quite yet has the ease and command in debate settings that he'll need in a narrowed down race. Her face portrayed a picture of ease and peace, of comfort and contentment. "Come on in, good looking, " he said with practiced ease. Synonyms naturalness, casualness, informality, unceremoniousness, lack of reserve, lack of constraint, relaxedness, amiability, affability 1.2 Freedom from worries or problems. a life of wealth and ease Example sentencesExamples As conceived here, his life was a simple one of ease, pleasure, and boundless free time. He has caught a glimpse of a new, golden world of wealth and ease, at the center of which stands a lovely and aristocratic woman. Their child, they agreed, would lead a life of ease and happiness. If he bets on atheism, however, he will have a life of ease and pleasure - a daily ration of brownies and milk. Besides, she says, she thought the beauty of a country home lay in its casual, prop-your-feet-up ease. This is bad news for the magazine, which, despite its lock on the market and air of wealth and ease, is hardly a cash cow. They've joked with soldiers in the darkest hours of human conflict, just as they've celebrated with them in the times of ease and joy. Our material ease and the freedoms it has spawned are dangerous illusions, and now comes the reckoning. It is relentlessly positive and constantly whispering the mantra of ease and happiness through wealth and the purchase of this or that brand name product. She was by then in her late thirties and had lived a life of great wealth and ease. I was a child of the suburbs, I felt cheated and robbed of my birthright of ease and pleasure. Synonyms peace, peacefulness, calmness, tranquillity, composure, serenity, repose, restfulness, quiet, contentment, security, comfort affluence, wealth, prosperity, prosperousness, luxury, opulence, plenty, sufficiency comfort, cosiness, contentment, content, enjoyment, well-being, freedom from hardship, freedom from troubles rare easefulness verb iːziz 1with object Make (something unpleasant or intense) less serious or severe. a huge road-building programme to ease congestion Example sentencesExamples Lemongrass and Ginger are both excellent for muscular aches and pains, and together with Geranium, they help ease digestive difficulties. The car park will also hopefully ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties. Railtrack plans to replace about 25 miles of track and more than 50 sets of points, removing or easing a further 100 more speed restrictions. The situation could be considerably eased by the provision of key staff as laid out in the Service Plan. The U.S. boom has softened a bit lately, easing some of the pressure on central bankers in both countries to hurry up and raise rates. He said network congestion would be eased in Windhoek with the opening of additional base stations. Plans to ease parking problems which residents say have been making their lives a misery have been delayed. In many cases early disclosure facilitates settlement and eases the burden of expensive litigation. Yet for years, European leaders have been pushing for easing or eliminating those very sanctions. The stronger rupiah during the first quarter eases the company's foreign debt burden of nearly $1 billion. It might cost the state more in the short term, but it would have long-term benefits by easing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the €12 billion-a-year medical service. The following tips can help ease financial difficulties. The process will test his ability to make good on his promises to use rail to ease Westside traffic congestion. Pressure on Sligo's ever increasing housing list could be eased if more derelict houses were repaired, refurbished and re-allocated. Train delays and cancellations may be eased by the development of a wireless-based network that helps railway companies use their rolling stock more efficiently. The new buildings will form the first phase of plans to extend the school and will enable St Margaret's to offer two classes in the reception intake, easing the school's long waiting lists. Gambling restrictions have been eased recently, which makes it easier to open casinos. He vehemently denies that season-ticket sales are down, and hopes that their financial predicament can be eased by a run in Europe. We worked with the Defense Department to build more facilities to ease the overcrowding there. On the other hand, some suggested the result may help ease tensions in strained cross-strait relations. Synonyms relieve, alleviate, mitigate, assuage, allay, soothe, soften, palliate, ameliorate, mollify, moderate, tone down, blunt, dull, deaden, numb, take the edge off lessen, reduce, lighten, diminish 1.1no object Become less serious or severe. the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours Example sentencesExamples The wind began to ease as the evening set in and I cast out the catfish rigs with a little, though not too much, hope. A period of austerity, which began to ease in the 1950s, followed World War II. The housing crunch may be easing little by little, but that is no excuse for busting people who want to keep the issue of affordable shelter alive. The pain was still easing, or he was getting used to it - he wasn't sure. He acknowledged, however, that further support may be necessary if the economy fails to pick up when geopolitical tensions had eased. The hurt will ease, the pain will be less and there will be happier days ahead. It will need care, and you'll have to accept certain limitations, but otherwise do your best to live around the pain until it eases. Tensions eased with each passing moment and the three friends began joking with each other. The pain eased, settling into a nagging ache, low down. The rain began in the early hours and seemed to be easing as late evening approached but the real deluge came as darkness came on. As he awoke, the wind began to ease and a chink of sun showed. Then the sadness and shame began to ease, and I realised that they were not productive feelings. There was no sign this weekend that tensions were easing. Water levels began to fall by yesterday morning, however, as the heavy downpour gradually eased. Everyone at the table laughed, the tension easing. ‘When I get tense, I see the funny side and begin to laugh and then the tension eases,’ he explains. The £47.9 million route opened for traffic last week and within hours congestion in the town centre was beginning to ease. So there was some friction there, but as time passed, they then started reporting that these frictions had begun to ease and the people united. We can't avoid the pain of change and loss, but it eases the more willingly we're able to embrace change. This so surprised him that his trembling eased and his breath began to return. Synonyms abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, quieten, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end archaic remit 1.2ease off/upno object Do something with more moderation. I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you Example sentencesExamples The government is showing signs of easing up on building nuclear weapons and controlling foreign aid. You're in taper mode, easing off on intensity and volume or setting off on your trip. Wanderers are ready to end their interest unless the Newcastle winger eases up on his demands for a three-year contract. One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded. The Moroccan went clear in the final 30 metres and even had the luxury of easing up before raising two fingers, one for each of his Athens triumphs, as he crossed. No one could blame Wicklow for easing off in the last ten minutes and while Roscommon scored 1-2 in that time they never looked like closing the gap. The government has been very attentive to the needs of the public sector since coming to office in 1997 and, with Benchmarking II coming down the line, shows no sign of easing off. There was considerable pressure from the United States as well for him to ease up and to offer humanitarian relief. If road deaths decrease you don't ease up on road safety. In a sense, easing up on training can improve performance. The bully pulpit can be grabbed if he combines cutting tax rates with lowering interest rates and easing up on Fed monetary policy. Just because one tyrant is being edged closer to retirement doesn't mean that other members of the club are easing up on their coercion. At an age, 39 years, when most other athletes are easing up and participating at veterans' level, Anne is probably running better that she ever has in her life. Over 60 years of work are documented here, and Davie shows no sign of easing off. He tells jokes pretty well, though he could do with easing up on the old self-satisfied smirk after the punchline. However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off. With all this, it seems unlikely that he would care to appease his critics by easing up on the self-promotion. Back today after a 21-day ban for easing up prematurely and being beaten on a clear leader at Pontefract, he has a good chance at Redcar. It's attitude that has propelled the band into super-stardom and there's no sign of them easing up on it. Now approaching her 80th birthday, she shows no sign of easing up - and it's Peggy who can be relied upon to open the hospice's charity shop each morning. 1.3 Make (something) happen more easily; facilitate. Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making Example sentencesExamples The same materials are expected to be used in the larger extension, which will have a conveyor link to the existing facility to ease the transfer of airfreight. I guess it's some kind of human body defense mechanism, keeping my eye closed to reduce the pain and ease the ‘healing process’. Behind the slick new steel and glass facades, what can you expect in the way of facilities to ease the MBA learning experience? Motivations were nonetheless always framed by political and economic climates, and the availability of familial and governmental assistance in easing the journey. The rounding facility was probably included to ease transition to the regulations when they first came into force. During most of this period, we didn't enjoy the computer facilities now available to ease the job of an investor. He urged Government to prioritise the provision of facilities that would ease the education and employment access of the blind. Such simplified set-up could ease the dissemination of a simple, indirect challenge test for BHR in young children. Incorporating learning activities into an everyday routine can help ease the transition to kindergarten. Some were installed for mountaineers, to ease the approaches to climbs, and some to facilitate the passage of troops during the First World War. Cariss is hoping that Nelson's success will encourage a potential sponsor to step forward and ease his transition into the pro game. Synonyms facilitate, make easy, make easier, expedite, speed up, assist, help, aid, advance, further, forward, smooth the way for, clear the way for, simplify 1.4no object (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount. shares eased 6p to 224p Example sentencesExamples But now that meat prices are easing, growth figures to be much tougher. After huge spikes in late summer, gas prices have eased just a bit. But as new coal mines are developed, prices will ease somewhat. However, the rate of inflation eased to a five-month low and was well below the average for 2005 so far. While oil prices have eased in the past two weeks in dollar terms the cost of oil in euros has gone above the €40 mark for the first time. Crude oil and refined product prices have eased sufficiently for us to be able to pass it on at the pump. The report came amid improving macroeconomic indicators as inflation has eased, interest rates are down and the rupiah has strengthened. Inflation is easing faster than expected, while economic performances abroad and at home are uncertain. Oil prices are easing in the face of rising inventories. However, after hitting new record highs, prices eased yesterday, raising hopes that they might start to ease back to more moderate levels. Relying on the appreciating euro exchange rate to ease upward pressure on prices is no excuse for real initiatives. Plus, gas prices should ease as seasonal demand slows. Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows. They feel that though interest rates should ease, banks may not be in a position to slash their lending rates. The survey highlighted the midlands as a potential growth area for retailers, but it did expect this growth rate to ease over the next six months. This goes with other signs that house price inflation is easing and that the housing market has passed the peak of the boom. In later trading the rate eased to $1.2017 as markets took a harder look at the realities facing the US. House price inflation needs to ease to a rate of 6 per cent if a disorderly correction is to be avoided. The company said that as interest rates start to rise prices will ease. ‘Inflation will ease over the year, but we are not expecting widespread house price falls,’ he said. Synonyms decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, lower, moderate, soothe, relieve, dampen, calm, tone down, alleviate, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate, temper, appease, attenuate 1.5ease something away/down/offNautical Slacken a rope or sail. Example sentencesExamples The ship ran aground for three minutes before it was eased off. 2no object, with adverbial of direction Move carefully or gradually. I eased down the slope with care Wanderers will be keen to ease away from the relegation zone with object and adverbial of direction she eased off her shoes Example sentencesExamples She winced as she eased herself into the hot water. Lorries advertising this and that Irish product or activity were slowly easing themselves into their places, causing disruption to the traffic. After a moment or two, he eased himself up and looked over the edge. Confused, I eased myself from the water and walked round the pool edge, flabby and dripping. Balancing the car on the throttle and I eased myself around for a couple of laps to familiarise myself with the setup. Carefully, she moved a hand forward and eased back the white sheets. On his first competitive outing in the 2002 Ferrari, he lacked that crucial edge to ease ahead of Montoya, finishing one-tenth off pole. Carefully, she eased over across the floor to the door, then moving as fast as she could, she swung it open. He slowly eases his waist forward to demonstrate. Dustin eased himself over the edge, searching for a foothold, which he soon found. Opening the door she eased carefully into the passenger seat with her eyes never leaving him. She began easing over to the payphone, trying to listen in on his conversation. Murmuring soft words of comfort and nonsense, she eased herself carefully along the wall, bringing her hand along the side of the horse. The woman eased herself into the chair opposite him. Slipping his feet over one end, he gingerly eased himself down. She staggered to the door and eased it open, blinking irritably. She leaned forward to ease her wrist out of his grip. At about five hundred yards he eased back on the throttle, the bows slowly lowered. ‘Sure do,’ he replied, easing himself up from his chair, his movements stiff. His voice was anxious as he eased closer to her and tightened his hold on her hand. The new Greek island ferry - retired from the Baltic only last year - eases her stern against the pier. He eased the stick forward and aimed for the river. Synonyms move slowly, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide 2.1ease someone intowith object Introduce someone gradually to (an activity) he brought in someone new and eased them into the job Example sentencesExamples In instrumental form, it's an epic in its own right, easing you into a laidback mood, and generally making you feel good. Mac sighed and took a step closer, shrugging slightly to help ease Bryce into accepting. This would allow Boston to ease Youkilis into the majors, which would be a good thing because he's probably not ready to be there full-time yet. By the time Dr Elliot has eased herself into the job, it will be time to hand over. Here's a roundup of helpful tips and resources gathered from CalCPA members to ease you into yet another tax season. The Falcons would be wise to ease Vick into the lineup, but that will be tough because the fans want to see him sooner rather than later. I am back in training now, although I am just easing myself into it and starting to pick things up. It is effortlessly uplifting, totally breezy and an ideal way of easing you into what follows. The best way to approach him could be to ease him into the subject. It was aimed at easing her into a life of independence as she approached 16. The team has eased Wuertz into the picture, making sure he hasn't had to come into games with runners on base. Christmas Eve strikes a more gentle note, with Traditional Musical entertainment easing you into the big day. However, there are some statistics that show that newcomers to nursing are not being introduced in a way that eases them into the workplace. I think we need to ease Richard into a job with the Civil Service. This film does an excellent job of easing you into its world. It remembers your previous volume setting just like a normal radio, but instead of jumping to that volume it slowly fades up to it, easing you into whatever happens to be playing at the moment. Three Staunton penalties eased Ireland into the game and he converted his own try and the first of left wing Gary Brown's two. He has been easing himself into the role since then, working alongside Good to develop a vision and strategy for the company. And in this smooth manner he eased Gödel into conversation. One pub chain will offer free champagne to shellfish buyers to ease them into a romantic mood. 2.2ease someone outwith object Gradually exclude someone from a post, especially by devious or subtle manoeuvres. after the scandal he was eased out of his job Example sentencesExamples It looks more and more as if he was eased out not so much because of what he did, but because certain elements in the Labour Party wanted rid of him. Since you can't fire the current manager, ease him out by finding a cushy, better paying sinecure elsewhere. I managed to ease him out by insisting on demonstrations that had to be practised in rehearsals and soon we dropped the show. Although the company later eased him out - due to his conflicting newspaper interests - his new schedule largely survived and prospered. ‘Two weeks ago, I said, ‘Put together a plan to ease her out; make arrangements.’ The big question now is whether he was eased out early over this deal and whether the board will ever investigate how this happen. It's high time he was eased out. At the time of the Agreement, they were actually afraid that they would be eased out,’ Murphy said. He's rumoured to be injured, but talk suggests that his ‘injury’ is being talked up so as to ease him out without humiliating him. The book is valuable for its recounting of the way in which Deng saved his reform program and slowly eased the older leadership generations out of power. They talk as if the anchorman was eased out of his job merely for some error of fact such as any journalist is statistically certain to make every now and then. But, as I say, the plan is to ease them out of that. Adds another BCC insider: ‘Nobody's easing Wayne out yet.’ So, was this just a way of easing me out early, without admitting it? The Army, contrary to perception, tends to ease them out of frontline duty. Unfortunately though, I think it is unlikely that he will be eased out soon, unless of course he calls it a day after his 100th test. It is ironic that after he guided the national team to a rare LG Cup triumph in 2002, there is an effort now to ease him out. When Cedric was eased out, Rajinder Singh, basking on the victory as junior coach, secured the plum post of the chief coach for the senior team. I have heard it said that you were eased out of Washington, perhaps at British suggestion, because your independence made you unmanageable. But if Wilson is happy to continue in Belfast, RBS would have no good reason to ease him out. Phrases at (one's) ease 1Free from worry or awkwardness; relaxed. she was never quite at ease with Phil Example sentencesExamples It's informal and friendly and sets me at my ease immediately. I could tell by our team's attitude that they seemed to be totally at ease when they took the field. The only way to set your mind at ease before purchasing a supplement is to check out the facts first. The master of ceremonies will welcome each of the contestants in turn, set them at their ease, and introduced the musical item that each will render. The main courses arrived swiftly, with the kind of faultlessly friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive service that always puts you at your ease in a restaurant. He had a great way with people, and had the remarkable ability to put customers at their ease. With Will it's so easy not to feel intimidated because he puts you at ease. Now vulnerable people can feel more at ease knowing that recruits are signing up to stop doorstep con-artists. He was mild-mannered and polite, attempting light humour to put me at my ease. The door slammed shut behind him and I jumped, but Mother seemed perfectly at ease. Synonyms relaxed, calm, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, content, happy 1.1In a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command) all right, stand at ease! Example sentencesExamples The soldiers at Micklegate Bar are not marching but are stood at ease, and may well have been from the Army Cadet Corps. I halted in front of the sentry box, turned to the front and stood at ease. Both girls ceased their jitters and tried to stand at ease, gnawing away at their lips. To my surprise, he was standing at ease, talking to an old lady who was seated on one of the chairs in the alcove. He joined Neal, Arlyn and Lori, standing at ease on the other side of the stage. ease someone's mind Alleviate someone's anxiety. concentrating on the stitching helped to ease her mind Example sentencesExamples It was a pleasure meeting you, sir: I hope I have eased your mind about Lord Robert. ‘Well someone had to be on this island to plant the treasure,’ Dara explained, easing his mind. Glancing around the dinner, I noticed that it was fairly empty, which somehow eased my mind. I'm glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree. The rattling noise began to disappear, and that eased his mind greatly, knowing that he was only a little way away from turning into the next street he needed. Thank you so much for writing, you have eased my mind considerably on the topic of my brother. This will help your weight loss by easing your mind and tricking your body's metabolism and avoid plateauing. I hope that some of these wedding vow samples have eased your mind somewhat and maybe even given you a few ideas to use for your own vows. I went to a church service in the village last night and that eased my mind. Listening to a toad croak, concentrating on it, eased his mind. Synonyms calm, quieten, pacify, soothe, comfort, bring comfort to, give solace to, solace, console Derivatives easer noun Origin Middle English: from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens 'lying close by', present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise 'at ease'; in later use from the noun. easy from Middle English: Both easy and ease (Middle English) go back via Old French aisier to Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, source also of adjacent (Late Middle English). Easy-peasy ‘childishly easy’ is only recorded from the 1970s. The ‘peasy’ is simply a rhyme and the childish word intensifies the sense. Rhymes Achinese, Ambonese, appease, Assamese, Balinese, Belize, Beninese, Bernese, bêtise, Bhutanese, breeze, Burmese, Cantonese, Castries, cerise, cheese, chemise, Chinese, Cingalese, Cleese, Congolese, Denise, Dodecanese, éminence grise, expertise, Faroese, freeze, Fries, frieze, Gabonese, Genoese, Goanese, Guyanese, he's, Japanese, Javanese, jeez, journalese, Kanarese, Keys, Lebanese, lees, legalese, Louise, Macanese, Madurese, Maltese, marquise, Milanese, Nepalese, officialese, overseas, pease, Pekinese, Peloponnese, Piedmontese, please, Portuguese, Pyrenees, reprise, Rwandese, seise, seize, Senegalese, she's, Siamese, Sienese, Sikkimese, Sinhalese, sleaze, sneeze, squeeze, Stockton-on-Tees, Sudanese, Sundanese, Surinamese, Tabriz, Taiwanese, tease, Tees, telegraphese, these, Timorese, Togolese, trapeze, valise, Viennese, Vietnamese, vocalese, wheeze noun.1 phr. Definition of ease in US English: ease nounizēz 1Absence of difficulty or effort. he gave up tobacco and alcohol with ease the guitar's versatility and ease of handling Example sentencesExamples Explosive growth has even come to Egyptology, thanks to the ease with which source materials can now be distributed by CD and online. Among other things, the ease with which they traveled around the world is striking. It is just as easy to imagine the relative ease of compiling such information when the separate records are entered into online databases. Women retained their rights to manage their own money and property after marriage and could obtain a divorce with the same ease - or difficulty - as a man. Presented with a gilt-edged chance, Gardyne attempted to lift his shot over Craig Wight, but the goalkeeper caught the effort with ease. Usually everything goes off so well that it looks as if putting together a show of this kind, could be done with effortless ease. Given the ease of desktop publishing, use a font that people can read and provide adequate space for writing responses. Safe areas also minimized ‘permeability,’ that is, the ease of entry to and exit from the neighborhood or housing area. I was really impressed with the ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality built into the web meeting application. More and more, people are opting for the ease of watching the games at home. The pair handled the difficult combinations with ease, and the horse flowed across the ground. Everyone is welcome, though I can't vouch for the ease of finding parking if you're coming in from outside Stanford. The orchestra responds beautifully, handling even the composer's sometimes difficult rhythmic effects with ease. Let's get back to Europe now, the financing of these groups, the ease of travel since the European Union dropped travel restrictions. A patchwork of conflicting laws will do nothing to improve the ease of use of e-mail communications. Both of these items are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and designed in a way that can minimize discomfort but maximize ease of use. The absence of long cords and the ease of getting the tool into tight or awkward places are what make cordless tools so valuable. How has the final sound mixing gone in terms of difficulty or ease? We observed the ease of communication among focus group women, with one group even claiming that the data collection exercise was therapeutic in itself. To many industry professionals, though, the exam's difficulty or ease isn't really the point. Synonyms effortlessness, no difficulty, no trouble, no bother, facility, facileness, simplicity 1.1 Absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise. I was always vexed by her self-contained ease Example sentencesExamples "Come on in, good looking, " he said with practiced ease. His natural ease in front of the camera led to a contract with CBS. Washed and crumpled cotton, silk and linen contribute to a tone of ease and effortless femininity. As he grew smaller down the street, I realized that behind the skater's ease and freedom was a huge amount of control. The ease and humor that he displayed in his I-do-not-choose-to-run press conference should quiet the put-downs. She surmounted the role's many difficulties with ease and grace and imbued the Czech language with particular bite. In a report packed with adjectives, another daily claimed that Anna answered questions with effortless ease. Enthusiasm filled the place as students fired a volley of questions, which the seasoned star answered with poise and complete ease. Thomas's rise has been marked as much by her keen sense of timing as by her natural ease on camera. But it's not clear to me he quite yet has the ease and command in debate settings that he'll need in a narrowed down race. Whether it requires her to be casual, peppy or sensual, Jesse walks the ramp with ease and evident pleasure. Her face portrayed a picture of ease and peace, of comfort and contentment. He speculates about the personal stories of strangers in bars and offers up tales of his childhood with the ease of a trusted friend. You can't spend much time with him without being awed by both his ease in the natural world and his willpower. With the ease of a talented DJ, Thornton engages in a form of culture jamming that is at once global and highly personal. Fortunately, some others navigated through the weekend with ease and good humor. The nearest he got to a criminal act was the day he forgot his house keys and broke into his own home using a credit card with nonchalant ease. Hass is relentless in her challenge to authority, but her real uniqueness lies in her ability to literally cross from one side to the next with an uncanny ease. She is a consummate stage personality, interacting with the other musicians and the crowd with ease and aplomb. In fact, I told him that you and Regis are two of the people I admire in our business, because of the ease with which you are able to interact with all of your guests. Synonyms naturalness, casualness, informality, unceremoniousness, lack of reserve, lack of constraint, relaxedness, amiability, affability 1.2 Freedom from worries or problems, especially about one's material situation. a life of wealth and ease Example sentencesExamples This is bad news for the magazine, which, despite its lock on the market and air of wealth and ease, is hardly a cash cow. They've joked with soldiers in the darkest hours of human conflict, just as they've celebrated with them in the times of ease and joy. She was by then in her late thirties and had lived a life of great wealth and ease. Their child, they agreed, would lead a life of ease and happiness. I was a child of the suburbs, I felt cheated and robbed of my birthright of ease and pleasure. Our material ease and the freedoms it has spawned are dangerous illusions, and now comes the reckoning. He has caught a glimpse of a new, golden world of wealth and ease, at the center of which stands a lovely and aristocratic woman. It is relentlessly positive and constantly whispering the mantra of ease and happiness through wealth and the purchase of this or that brand name product. Besides, she says, she thought the beauty of a country home lay in its casual, prop-your-feet-up ease. If he bets on atheism, however, he will have a life of ease and pleasure - a daily ration of brownies and milk. As conceived here, his life was a simple one of ease, pleasure, and boundless free time. Synonyms peace, peacefulness, calmness, tranquillity, composure, serenity, repose, restfulness, quiet, contentment, security, comfort affluence, wealth, prosperity, prosperousness, luxury, opulence, plenty, sufficiency verbizēz 1with object Make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe. a huge road-building program to ease congestion Example sentencesExamples The new buildings will form the first phase of plans to extend the school and will enable St Margaret's to offer two classes in the reception intake, easing the school's long waiting lists. Gambling restrictions have been eased recently, which makes it easier to open casinos. Pressure on Sligo's ever increasing housing list could be eased if more derelict houses were repaired, refurbished and re-allocated. On the other hand, some suggested the result may help ease tensions in strained cross-strait relations. The U.S. boom has softened a bit lately, easing some of the pressure on central bankers in both countries to hurry up and raise rates. He vehemently denies that season-ticket sales are down, and hopes that their financial predicament can be eased by a run in Europe. The car park will also hopefully ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties. Lemongrass and Ginger are both excellent for muscular aches and pains, and together with Geranium, they help ease digestive difficulties. The situation could be considerably eased by the provision of key staff as laid out in the Service Plan. The stronger rupiah during the first quarter eases the company's foreign debt burden of nearly $1 billion. In many cases early disclosure facilitates settlement and eases the burden of expensive litigation. He said network congestion would be eased in Windhoek with the opening of additional base stations. Railtrack plans to replace about 25 miles of track and more than 50 sets of points, removing or easing a further 100 more speed restrictions. The following tips can help ease financial difficulties. We worked with the Defense Department to build more facilities to ease the overcrowding there. Train delays and cancellations may be eased by the development of a wireless-based network that helps railway companies use their rolling stock more efficiently. It might cost the state more in the short term, but it would have long-term benefits by easing one of the biggest bottlenecks in the €12 billion-a-year medical service. Plans to ease parking problems which residents say have been making their lives a misery have been delayed. Yet for years, European leaders have been pushing for easing or eliminating those very sanctions. The process will test his ability to make good on his promises to use rail to ease Westside traffic congestion. Synonyms relieve, alleviate, mitigate, assuage, allay, soothe, soften, palliate, ameliorate, mollify, moderate, tone down, blunt, dull, deaden, numb, take the edge off 1.1no object Become less serious or severe. the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours Example sentencesExamples Everyone at the table laughed, the tension easing. The rain began in the early hours and seemed to be easing as late evening approached but the real deluge came as darkness came on. The housing crunch may be easing little by little, but that is no excuse for busting people who want to keep the issue of affordable shelter alive. So there was some friction there, but as time passed, they then started reporting that these frictions had begun to ease and the people united. ‘When I get tense, I see the funny side and begin to laugh and then the tension eases,’ he explains. He acknowledged, however, that further support may be necessary if the economy fails to pick up when geopolitical tensions had eased. The hurt will ease, the pain will be less and there will be happier days ahead. The wind began to ease as the evening set in and I cast out the catfish rigs with a little, though not too much, hope. This so surprised him that his trembling eased and his breath began to return. A period of austerity, which began to ease in the 1950s, followed World War II. We can't avoid the pain of change and loss, but it eases the more willingly we're able to embrace change. The £47.9 million route opened for traffic last week and within hours congestion in the town centre was beginning to ease. The pain eased, settling into a nagging ache, low down. There was no sign this weekend that tensions were easing. Then the sadness and shame began to ease, and I realised that they were not productive feelings. Tensions eased with each passing moment and the three friends began joking with each other. As he awoke, the wind began to ease and a chink of sun showed. It will need care, and you'll have to accept certain limitations, but otherwise do your best to live around the pain until it eases. Water levels began to fall by yesterday morning, however, as the heavy downpour gradually eased. The pain was still easing, or he was getting used to it - he wasn't sure. Synonyms abate, subside, die down, die away, die out, drop off, let up, slacken off, diminish, quieten, lessen, grow less, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, weaken, become weaker, come to an end 1.2ease upno object Relax one's efforts; do something with more moderation. I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you Example sentencesExamples Just because one tyrant is being edged closer to retirement doesn't mean that other members of the club are easing up on their coercion. If road deaths decrease you don't ease up on road safety. The Moroccan went clear in the final 30 metres and even had the luxury of easing up before raising two fingers, one for each of his Athens triumphs, as he crossed. Now approaching her 80th birthday, she shows no sign of easing up - and it's Peggy who can be relied upon to open the hospice's charity shop each morning. There was considerable pressure from the United States as well for him to ease up and to offer humanitarian relief. Wanderers are ready to end their interest unless the Newcastle winger eases up on his demands for a three-year contract. The government is showing signs of easing up on building nuclear weapons and controlling foreign aid. With all this, it seems unlikely that he would care to appease his critics by easing up on the self-promotion. Over 60 years of work are documented here, and Davie shows no sign of easing off. Back today after a 21-day ban for easing up prematurely and being beaten on a clear leader at Pontefract, he has a good chance at Redcar. You're in taper mode, easing off on intensity and volume or setting off on your trip. He tells jokes pretty well, though he could do with easing up on the old self-satisfied smirk after the punchline. In a sense, easing up on training can improve performance. At an age, 39 years, when most other athletes are easing up and participating at veterans' level, Anne is probably running better that she ever has in her life. No one could blame Wicklow for easing off in the last ten minutes and while Roscommon scored 1-2 in that time they never looked like closing the gap. It's attitude that has propelled the band into super-stardom and there's no sign of them easing up on it. However, rather than easing off as he approaches official retirement age, the Scot remains as committed and feisty as ever, with thoughts of stepping down a long way off. The government has been very attentive to the needs of the public sector since coming to office in 1997 and, with Benchmarking II coming down the line, shows no sign of easing off. The bully pulpit can be grabbed if he combines cutting tax rates with lowering interest rates and easing up on Fed monetary policy. One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded. 1.3 Make (something) happen more easily; facilitate. Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making Example sentencesExamples Motivations were nonetheless always framed by political and economic climates, and the availability of familial and governmental assistance in easing the journey. Behind the slick new steel and glass facades, what can you expect in the way of facilities to ease the MBA learning experience? The rounding facility was probably included to ease transition to the regulations when they first came into force. Incorporating learning activities into an everyday routine can help ease the transition to kindergarten. Some were installed for mountaineers, to ease the approaches to climbs, and some to facilitate the passage of troops during the First World War. Such simplified set-up could ease the dissemination of a simple, indirect challenge test for BHR in young children. The same materials are expected to be used in the larger extension, which will have a conveyor link to the existing facility to ease the transfer of airfreight. He urged Government to prioritise the provision of facilities that would ease the education and employment access of the blind. I guess it's some kind of human body defense mechanism, keeping my eye closed to reduce the pain and ease the ‘healing process’. During most of this period, we didn't enjoy the computer facilities now available to ease the job of an investor. Cariss is hoping that Nelson's success will encourage a potential sponsor to step forward and ease his transition into the pro game. Synonyms facilitate, make easy, make easier, expedite, speed up, assist, help, aid, advance, further, forward, smooth the way for, clear the way for, simplify 1.4no object (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount. these shares should be bought and tucked away for when interest rates ease a slight easing of inflation Example sentencesExamples Crude oil and refined product prices have eased sufficiently for us to be able to pass it on at the pump. In later trading the rate eased to $1.2017 as markets took a harder look at the realities facing the US. The report came amid improving macroeconomic indicators as inflation has eased, interest rates are down and the rupiah has strengthened. House price inflation needs to ease to a rate of 6 per cent if a disorderly correction is to be avoided. Australia is slowing and world commodity prices should ease as world growth slows. Inflation is easing faster than expected, while economic performances abroad and at home are uncertain. However, after hitting new record highs, prices eased yesterday, raising hopes that they might start to ease back to more moderate levels. The company said that as interest rates start to rise prices will ease. Oil prices are easing in the face of rising inventories. But now that meat prices are easing, growth figures to be much tougher. They feel that though interest rates should ease, banks may not be in a position to slash their lending rates. However, the rate of inflation eased to a five-month low and was well below the average for 2005 so far. While oil prices have eased in the past two weeks in dollar terms the cost of oil in euros has gone above the €40 mark for the first time. But as new coal mines are developed, prices will ease somewhat. Plus, gas prices should ease as seasonal demand slows. The survey highlighted the midlands as a potential growth area for retailers, but it did expect this growth rate to ease over the next six months. ‘Inflation will ease over the year, but we are not expecting widespread house price falls,’ he said. This goes with other signs that house price inflation is easing and that the housing market has passed the peak of the boom. Relying on the appreciating euro exchange rate to ease upward pressure on prices is no excuse for real initiatives. After huge spikes in late summer, gas prices have eased just a bit. Synonyms decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, lower, moderate, soothe, relieve, dampen, calm, tone down, alleviate, mitigate, mollify, allay, assuage, palliate, temper, appease, attenuate 1.5ease something away/down/offNautical Slacken a rope or sail. Example sentencesExamples The ship ran aground for three minutes before it was eased off. 2no object, with adverbial of direction Move carefully, gradually, or gently. I eased down the slope with care the boat eased away from the harbor with object the pilot eased the throttle back Example sentencesExamples Opening the door she eased carefully into the passenger seat with her eyes never leaving him. Carefully, she moved a hand forward and eased back the white sheets. The woman eased herself into the chair opposite him. She staggered to the door and eased it open, blinking irritably. On his first competitive outing in the 2002 Ferrari, he lacked that crucial edge to ease ahead of Montoya, finishing one-tenth off pole. Balancing the car on the throttle and I eased myself around for a couple of laps to familiarise myself with the setup. He eased the stick forward and aimed for the river. Dustin eased himself over the edge, searching for a foothold, which he soon found. After a moment or two, he eased himself up and looked over the edge. She began easing over to the payphone, trying to listen in on his conversation. The new Greek island ferry - retired from the Baltic only last year - eases her stern against the pier. She leaned forward to ease her wrist out of his grip. ‘Sure do,’ he replied, easing himself up from his chair, his movements stiff. Confused, I eased myself from the water and walked round the pool edge, flabby and dripping. His voice was anxious as he eased closer to her and tightened his hold on her hand. At about five hundred yards he eased back on the throttle, the bows slowly lowered. Slipping his feet over one end, he gingerly eased himself down. Carefully, she eased over across the floor to the door, then moving as fast as she could, she swung it open. Lorries advertising this and that Irish product or activity were slowly easing themselves into their places, causing disruption to the traffic. He slowly eases his waist forward to demonstrate. Murmuring soft words of comfort and nonsense, she eased herself carefully along the wall, bringing her hand along the side of the horse. She winced as she eased herself into the hot water. Synonyms move slowly, inch, edge, move, manoeuvre, steer, slip, squeeze, slide 2.1ease someone outwith object Gradually exclude someone from a post or place, especially by devious or subtle maneuvers. after the scandal he was eased out of his job Example sentencesExamples Since you can't fire the current manager, ease him out by finding a cushy, better paying sinecure elsewhere. I have heard it said that you were eased out of Washington, perhaps at British suggestion, because your independence made you unmanageable. They talk as if the anchorman was eased out of his job merely for some error of fact such as any journalist is statistically certain to make every now and then. When Cedric was eased out, Rajinder Singh, basking on the victory as junior coach, secured the plum post of the chief coach for the senior team. At the time of the Agreement, they were actually afraid that they would be eased out,’ Murphy said. It is ironic that after he guided the national team to a rare LG Cup triumph in 2002, there is an effort now to ease him out. So, was this just a way of easing me out early, without admitting it? I managed to ease him out by insisting on demonstrations that had to be practised in rehearsals and soon we dropped the show. The book is valuable for its recounting of the way in which Deng saved his reform program and slowly eased the older leadership generations out of power. Although the company later eased him out - due to his conflicting newspaper interests - his new schedule largely survived and prospered. Adds another BCC insider: ‘Nobody's easing Wayne out yet.’ But if Wilson is happy to continue in Belfast, RBS would have no good reason to ease him out. It looks more and more as if he was eased out not so much because of what he did, but because certain elements in the Labour Party wanted rid of him. But, as I say, the plan is to ease them out of that. He's rumoured to be injured, but talk suggests that his ‘injury’ is being talked up so as to ease him out without humiliating him. The Army, contrary to perception, tends to ease them out of frontline duty. Unfortunately though, I think it is unlikely that he will be eased out soon, unless of course he calls it a day after his 100th test. ‘Two weeks ago, I said, ‘Put together a plan to ease her out; make arrangements.’ The big question now is whether he was eased out early over this deal and whether the board will ever investigate how this happen. It's high time he was eased out. Phrases at (one's) ease 1Free from worry, awkwardness, or problems; relaxed. she was never quite at ease with Phil Example sentencesExamples I could tell by our team's attitude that they seemed to be totally at ease when they took the field. With Will it's so easy not to feel intimidated because he puts you at ease. Now vulnerable people can feel more at ease knowing that recruits are signing up to stop doorstep con-artists. The master of ceremonies will welcome each of the contestants in turn, set them at their ease, and introduced the musical item that each will render. The door slammed shut behind him and I jumped, but Mother seemed perfectly at ease. The main courses arrived swiftly, with the kind of faultlessly friendly, attentive yet unobtrusive service that always puts you at your ease in a restaurant. It's informal and friendly and sets me at my ease immediately. He was mild-mannered and polite, attempting light humour to put me at my ease. The only way to set your mind at ease before purchasing a supplement is to check out the facts first. He had a great way with people, and had the remarkable ability to put customers at their ease. Synonyms relaxed, calm, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, content, happy 1.1In a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command) all right, stand at ease! Example sentencesExamples Both girls ceased their jitters and tried to stand at ease, gnawing away at their lips. He joined Neal, Arlyn and Lori, standing at ease on the other side of the stage. I halted in front of the sentry box, turned to the front and stood at ease. To my surprise, he was standing at ease, talking to an old lady who was seated on one of the chairs in the alcove. The soldiers at Micklegate Bar are not marching but are stood at ease, and may well have been from the Army Cadet Corps. ease someone's mind Alleviate someone's anxiety. Example sentencesExamples I hope that some of these wedding vow samples have eased your mind somewhat and maybe even given you a few ideas to use for your own vows. The rattling noise began to disappear, and that eased his mind greatly, knowing that he was only a little way away from turning into the next street he needed. It was a pleasure meeting you, sir: I hope I have eased your mind about Lord Robert. Listening to a toad croak, concentrating on it, eased his mind. This will help your weight loss by easing your mind and tricking your body's metabolism and avoid plateauing. I went to a church service in the village last night and that eased my mind. Glancing around the dinner, I noticed that it was fairly empty, which somehow eased my mind. I'm glad you shared this with me, and it has eased my mind to a degree. ‘Well someone had to be on this island to plant the treasure,’ Dara explained, easing his mind. Thank you so much for writing, you have eased my mind considerably on the topic of my brother. Synonyms calm, quieten, pacify, soothe, comfort, bring comfort to, give solace to, solace, console Origin Middle English: from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise ‘at ease’; in later use from the noun. noun.1 phr.
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