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Meaning & use

more at ease

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/mɔːr ət iːz/
US/mɔːr ət iːz/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    feeling calmer and less worried or awkward than before.

    Grammar: Used after linking verbs like be, feel, seem, or become. It compares two states or times.

    Patterns

    • be more at ease
    • feel more at ease
    • become more at ease
    • make someone more at ease

    After a few minutes of chatting, she felt more at ease with the new group.

    The teacher's friendly smile made the students more at ease during the exam.

    He seems more at ease now that he has finished his presentation.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    in a more relaxed and comfortable situation or condition.

    Grammar: Often used with 'put' or 'set' to mean making someone feel comfortable.

    Patterns

    • put someone more at ease
    • set someone more at ease

    A warm drink and a soft chair put me more at ease after the long trip.

    The manager's honest answer set everyone more at ease about the changes.

Common combinations

feel more at ease
I feel more at ease when I know what to expect.
put someone more at ease
Her gentle tone put the nervous patient more at ease.
more at ease with
He is more at ease with small groups than with large crowds.
seem more at ease
The dog seemed more at ease after we gave it some food.

Synonyms and how they differ

more relaxed
Focuses on a lack of tension in the body or mind; 'more at ease' often suggests less worry or awkwardness in a social situation.
more comfortable
Can refer to physical comfort as well as emotional; 'more at ease' is mostly about emotional calm.
calmer
Emphasizes a quiet, peaceful state; 'more at ease' emphasizes freedom from unease or self-consciousness.

Opposites

more anxiousmore nervousmore awkward

Word family

at ease phrase
The base form, meaning calm and comfortable.
ease noun
A state of being comfortable and free from worry or difficulty.
ease verb
To make something less severe or to move gently.
easily adverb
In a way that is not difficult; without effort.

Commonly confused: more at ease or at least? more at ease or at ease?

more at ease vs at least

Sounds similar but means 'not less than' a number or amount. 'More at ease' is about comfort, not quantity.

more at ease vs at ease

The base form without 'more'; 'more at ease' compares two levels of comfort.

Practice

After the icebreaker game, the new employees felt ______ with each other.

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