at ease

1. Also, at one's ease . Comfortable, relaxed, unembarrassed, as in I always feel at ease in my grandmother's house . The related idiom put at ease means “make comfortable, reassure,” as in I was worried that the letter would not arrive in time, but the postmaster put me at ease . [1300s] For the antonym, see ill at ease .

2. In a relaxed position in military ranks. The phrase is often used as a command for troops standing at attention to relax, as in At ease, squadron . The command stand at ease is slightly different. A British military dictionary of 1802 described it as standing with the right foot drawn back about six inches and one's weight put on it. An American version is to stand with one's feet slightly apart and the hands clasped behind one's back.

Example Sentences

He appears at ease and even holds the door open for a few guests.

From Los Angeles Times

Companies offer token gestures to keep regulators at ease and headlines upbeat.

From Salon

Looking more at ease, Osaka's renowned ball-striking returned, and rediscovering her confidence led to the Montreal final in her first tournament with Wiktorowski.

From BBC

But I remember even in silence feeling so at ease and present.

From Los Angeles Times

As a child, she remembers attending weddings that her grandmother officiated and being amazed at how she put everyone at ease, "getting a laugh out of people".

From BBC

Related Words

• amicable 
• balmy 
• calm 
• easygoing 
• gentle 
• mild 
• pastoral 
• placid 
• restful 
• sedate 
• serene 
• sober 
• stable 
• tame 
• temperate