Uneasy
ʌnˈiːzi
Definitions
Causing or characterized by anxiety or discomfort; not at ease.
ʌnˈiːzi
Feeling or causing anxiety or discomfort.
The sudden noise made him feel uneasy.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're about to give a presentation, and you haven't practiced much. You might feel uneasy, like a little bit worried and not super comfortable or confident.
👶 For kids: Feeling a little bit worried or not relaxed.
More Examples
Her uneasy silence revealed her secret.
The news of the layoffs left the employees feeling uneasy about their jobs.
How It's Used
"I felt uneasy about the upcoming exam."
"The patient displayed an uneasy demeanor during the therapy session."
"A pervasive sense of unease permeated the novel's atmosphere."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
uneasy conscience
A feeling of guilt or regret about something you have done.
"He had an uneasy conscience after lying to his friend."
an uneasy truce
A temporary agreement to stop fighting or arguing, where people are not completely trusting of each other.
"After months of conflict, the two countries agreed to an uneasy truce."
From Middle English *unese*, from Old English *unēade* ('not easy'), from *un-* ('not') + *ēade* ('easy').
Used in texts since the early 16th century, often to describe feelings of anxiety or discomfort.
Memory tip
Imagine an 'uneasy' chair that's wobbly and uncomfortable. It makes you feel uneasy!