at ease

Feeling calm and comfortable, without worry or fear.

• I feel at ease here.
• Her warm welcome put the visitors at ease.
• Are you at ease speaking in front of people?

How to use it: be/feel at ease with someone/something (She feels at ease with her new colleagues.); put someone at ease (His friendly smile put me at ease.)

Similar words: relaxed, comfortable

Opposites: anxious, tense

Common phrases: feel at ease, put someone at ease, at ease with someone

Standing with your feet apart in a relaxed military position.

• The soldiers stood at ease.
• He stood at ease with his hands behind his back.
• Are the recruits standing at ease correctly?

How to use it: stand at ease (The soldiers stood at ease while the captain spoke.)

Opposites: at attention

Common phrases: stand at ease, standing at ease, at ease position

Allowed to relax rather than keep a strict military formation.

• The troops were at ease during the wait.
• The officer left the unit at ease while he checked the route.
• They remained at ease until ordered back into formation.

How to use it: be at ease (The troops were at ease until the inspection began.)

Common phrases: troops at ease, remain at ease, be at ease

An order telling soldiers to relax their standing position.

• At ease, soldiers!
• The sergeant called, "At ease!"
• The captain said, "At ease, everyone," before explaining the plan.

Common phrases: at ease soldiers, at ease everyone