relax

[ri-laks]

verb (used with object)

1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax.

   to relax the muscles.

   Synonyms: slacken, loosen
   Antonyms: tense, tighten

2. to diminish the force of.

   Synonyms: reduce, lessen, weaken, mitigate

3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.

4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc..

   to relax the requirements for a license.

   Synonyms: ease

5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc..

   A short swim always relaxes me.

verb (used without object)

1. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.

   Synonyms: unbend, slacken, loosen
   Antonyms: tense, tighten

2. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.

   Synonyms: soften, relent

3. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.

4. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

relax

/ rɪˈlæks, rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid

2. (intr) to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort

   on Sundays, she just relaxes

   she relaxes by playing golf

3. to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished

4. to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity

5. (intr) (of a person) to become less formal; unbend

Other Word Forms

• relaxative adjective
• relaxatory adjective
• relaxer noun
• overrelax verb
• unrelaxing adjective
• relaxed adjective
• relaxable adjective
• relaxedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of relax¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relaxen, from Latin relaxāre “to stretch out again, loosen,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + laxāre “to loosen,” derivative of laxus “loose, spacious, wide,” lax ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relax¹

C15: from Latin relaxāre to loosen, from _re- + laxāre to loosen, from laxus loose, _lax

Example Sentences

My tent set up and food safely stored in the provided metal boxes, I went over to the tiny beach and sat on a driftwood log, relaxing under the sun’s warm rays.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Craig eventually decided to take action to create a house that was a special and relaxing place for his two daughters to grow up.

Read more on BBC

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will not relax visa rules for India ahead of a visit to the country to tout the benefits of a recent trade agreement.

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"So we've never been fully relaxed, we've always been on our guard and now it's happened and it's just very surreal."

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He relaxed strict dress codes for agents, recruited female agents and pointedly hired people from outside the agency – who were not indoctrinated in the Hoover culture – for administrative posts.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• ease 
• loosen 
• lower 
• modify 
• reduce 
• relieve 
• slow 
• weaken