ease

The word “ease” means the quality of being simple or effortless. In plain terms, being comfortable and free of difficulty or strain, or (as a verb) making something less difficult or painful.

“Ease” is pronounced eez (/iz/ in IPA).

Here is “ease” used in a sentence: “She solved the puzzle with surprising ease.”

Words with a similar meaning to “ease” include lessen and reduce.

Depending on how it is used, “ease” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “ease” comes from Old French. From Old French aise ("elbow room, opportunity"), a word whose deeper origins are murky and disputed.

“Ease” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Ease” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being simple or effortless.

'Ease' is the standard noun for the quality of being simple or effortless, as in 'she passed with ease'. 'Easiness' exists but is far less common and often sounds awkward; 'ease' is almost always the better choice.

'Ease' can mean either effortlessness or a relaxed state free from worry, focusing on the absence of difficulty or strain. 'Comfort' emphasizes physical wellbeing and pleasant surroundings, so a task can be done with ease, while a chair provides comfort.