ease */*/

I UK [iːz] / US [ɪz] noun [uncountable]

1)

a) the ability to do something easily

with ease:

Young children seem to master computer games with ease.

We completed the climb with relative ease (= fairly easily).

b) the fact that something is easy to do

ease of:

For maximum ease of use the materials are arranged in groups.

2) behaviour that is relaxed and natural

He was a compassionate doctor blessed with natural ease.

•

put someone at (their) ease — to make someone who is nervous feel more relaxed

- at ease

- ill at ease

See:

mind I

II UK [iːz] / US [ɪz] verb
Word forms "ease":
present tense I/you/we/they ease he/she/it eases present participle easing past tense eased past participle eased

1)

a) [transitive] to make a problem, bad situation, or pain less severe

Sometimes a mild painkiller is enough to ease the pain.

Colleagues are trying to ease the pressure she is under at work.

b) [intransitive] to become less severe

In the following two weeks tensions eased somewhat.

2)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to move somewhere slowly and carefully

ease into/out of/up etc:

She eased into the seat behind the desk.

ease yourself:

Joseph eased himself off the bed.

ease your way:

I eased my way through the crowd.

b) [transitive] to move something somewhere slowly and carefully

ease out of/away from:

Monica slowly eased the cork out of the champagne bottle.

3) [intransitive/transitive] to become more relaxed or less tight, or to make something do this

Slowly his grip on her shoulder eased.

I waited until the child's breathing eased.

4) [transitive] to make a rule or punishment less severe

Sanctions against the country should be eased.

The finance ministry has eased restrictions on the movement of capital.

5) [transitive] to make a process easier

These ideas helped to ease our transition to democracy.

6) [intransitive] if bad weather such as wind or rain eases, it becomes less strong

•

ease someone's conscience/mind — to make someone feel less guilty/worried

Phrasal verbs:

- ease off

- ease out

- ease up