easing

ease ease [iːz] verb

1. [intransitive, transitive] if limits, rules, restrictions etc are eased, or someone eases them, they become less strict:

• India is easing rules for joint ventures with foreign concerns.

2. [intransitive, transitive] if interest rates ease, or if a government or central bank eases them, they fall slightly:

• The central bank is prepared to ease interest rates further.

3. [intransitive] if prices on a financial market ease, they fall slightly:

• Stock prices eased in a slow trading session.

• Shares in Tokyo Gas eased 2 to 565, and Marubeni lost 5 to 660.

— easing noun [countable, uncountable] :

• the easing of restrictions on non-refundable fares

• Profit-taking in the oil sector led to an easing of prices.

• Rates are now around 7%, following a series of easings by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

ease off also ease up phrasal verb [intransitive]

to become less strong or less active:

• The demand for personal pensions has eased off slightly.

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easing UK US /ˈiːzɪŋ/ noun [U]

► the action or process of making something less severe or difficult: »

Investors were encouraged by data showing an easing of inflationary pressure.

► ECONOMICS QUANTITATIVE EASING(Cf. ↑quantitative easing)