uneasy

• IPA^(key): /ʌnˈiːzi/

• Audio (Southern England)

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• Hyphenation: un‧easy
• Rhymes: -iːzi

From Middle English unesy, equivalent to un- +‎ easy. Merged with Middle English unethe, uneathe (“difficult, not easy”). See uneath.

uneasy (comparative uneasier, superlative uneasiest)

1. (rare) Not easy; difficult.

From Middle English unesy, unaisie (“not comforting”), from un- + esy (“comfortable, at ease”). More at easy.

uneasy (comparative more uneasy or uneasier, superlative most uneasy or uneasiest)

1. Restless; disturbed by pain, anxiety.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:nervous

   I've been uneasy about your friend ever since I met him. Are you sure we can trust him?

   • 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 17, in Well Tackled!‎:

     Commander Birch was a trifle uneasy when he found there was more than a popple on the sea; it was, in fact, distinctly choppy.

2. Not easy in manner; constrained

   Synonyms: stiff, awkward, ungraceful

   He was behaving in an uneasy way.

3. Causing discomfort or constraint

• unease