ease

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U] 1 lack of difficulty: He passed the exam with ease. * The ease with which she learns languages is astonishing. * This computer is popular for its good design and ease of use. * All important points are numbered for ease of reference (= so that you can find them easily). 2 the state of feeling relaxed or comfortable without worries, problems or pain: In his retirement, he lived a life of ease. IDIOMS (stand) at ease used as a command to soldiers to tell them to stand with their feet apart and their hands behind their backs compareATTENTIONn.(5) at (your) ease relaxed and confident and not nervous or embarrassed: I never feel completely at ease with him. * She was at her ease straight away in the new job. put sb at (their) ease to make sb feel relaxed and confident, not nervous or embarrassed: Try to put the candidate at ease by being friendly and informal. moreatILLadj., MINDn. verb 1 to become or to make sth less unpleasant, painful, severe, etc: [VN] This should help ease the pain. * The plan should ease traffic congestion in the town. * It would ease my mind (= make me less worried) to know that she was settled. * [V] The pain immediately eased. 2 [+adv./prep.] to move, or to move sb/sth, slowly and carefully: [V] He eased slowly forwards. * [VN] She eased herself into a chair. * He eased off his shoes. 3 [VN] to make sth easier: Ramps have been built to ease access for the disabled. 4 to make sth or to become less tight and more relaxed: [VN] Ease your grip on the wheel a little. [also V] 5 to become or make sth lower in price or value SYNREDUCE: [V] Share prices eased back from yesterday's levels. [also VN] PHRASALVERBS ease into sth