Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner: Feeling anxious, awkward, or self-conscious in a social situation, often resulting in reserved or unnatural behavior.

Usage

• This adjective describes a state of discomfort, typically in social contexts. It is used to indicate that a person feels nervous, out of place, or unable to relax.
• It is commonly used in the predicate position, following a linking verb like "be," "feel," or "seem."
• It is a fixed phrase; the words are not typically separated.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • He felt ill at ease at the formal dinner, unsure of which fork to use.
  • She was ill at ease during the interview, constantly fidgeting with her pen.
  • The new student looked ill at ease standing alone in the crowded hallway.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/feel ill at ease": The most common construction.
  • I always feel ill at ease when I have to speak in front of a large audience.
• "to make someone ill at ease": To cause someone to feel uncomfortable.
  • His intense stare made her ill at ease.

Variants and Related Words

• Uneasy (adj): A close synonym, meaning anxious or troubled.
  • She had an uneasy feeling about the plan.
• Awkward (adj): Causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience.
  • There was an awkward silence after his comment.

Synonyms

• Uncomfortable: Causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort; also used for social discomfort.
• Self-conscious: Excessively aware of being observed by others, leading to nervousness.
• Insecure: Not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious.

Related Phrases

• On edge: Tense, nervous, or irritable.
  • The waiting made everyone on edge.
• Out of one's element: In a situation that is not natural or comfortable.
  • As a scientist, he felt out of his element at the art gallery opening.

Related Idioms

• Like a fish out of water: Someone who is in a completely unsuitable environment or situation.
  • At the high-society gala, the mechanic felt like a fish out of water.
• Have butterflies in one's stomach: To feel very nervous, usually about something you are about to do.
  • She had butterflies in her stomach before her presentation.

Adjective

1. socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner
   • awkward and reserved at parties
   • ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know
   • was always uneasy with strangers