relax
Americanverb (used with object)
-
relaxes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relaxed,
past participle, past
-
relaxing
present participle
-
to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax.
to relax the muscles.
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to diminish the force of.
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to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
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to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc..
to relax the requirements for a license.
- Synonyms:
- ease
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to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc..
A short swim always relaxes me.
verb (used without object)
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relaxes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relaxed,
past participle, past
-
relaxing
present participle
-
to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
-
to become less strict or severe; grow milder.
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to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
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to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
verb
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to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid
-
(intr) to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort
on Sundays, she just relaxes
she relaxes by playing golf
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to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished
-
to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity
-
(intr) (of a person) to become less formal; unbend
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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relaxernoun
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overrelaxverb
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relaxableadjective
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relaxativeadjective
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relaxatoryadjective
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relaxedadjective
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unrelaxingadjective
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relaxedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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relaxsimple
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relaxessimple
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have relaxedperfect
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has relaxedperfect
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am relaxingprogressive
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are relaxingprogressive
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is relaxingprogressive
-
have been relaxingperfect progressive
-
has been relaxingperfect progressive
Past
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relaxedsimple
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had relaxedperfect
-
was relaxingprogressive
-
were relaxingprogressive
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had been relaxingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of relax
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,” see lax 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Relax is a verb that describes feeling less stressed out or tense. If you want to relax after a crazy day at school, you might watch TV, take a nap, or do yoga to help you unwind. Relax can also refer to behavior that grows less formal or restrained, like a beach wedding where the bride and groom relax the usually formal ceremony by wearing casual clothing. Relax can also mean to become less tight. When you relax your grip on a pen, your hold loosens up. Relax can also refer to something that becomes less severe or strict. If your teacher would relax the attendance rules, you wouldn't keep getting in trouble for skipping class!
Vocabulary lists containing relax
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Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chapter 31: A Troubled Nation
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Instead, it appears to trigger small shifts in the body’s regulatory systems that reduce inflammation and help blood vessels relax.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
I’ve learned to relax and rest even if I’m not sleeping and enjoy the still, dark quiet.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
"I saw my appliances fly," she said, adding that the shelters were helpful, but it was difficult to relax with so many people around.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
While many young workers will keep investing, this $250,000 threshold is when they may feel they “can really start to relax a little bit,” McKeon said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
He wanted to keep the audience happy, but had to find a way to help his friend relax too.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
By monitoring how the defect's magnetic signal relaxes over time, researchers may be able to identify telltale signs of altermagnetism.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026
Best part: The clippers work for cheap, and none of the promotional aspects need to be publicly disclosed, thanks to a federal-regulation loophole that relaxes transparency standards on ads that don’t sell tangible products.
From Slate ● May 6, 2026
As it bakes, it softens and relaxes, turning creamy at the edges while still holding its shape at the core.
From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2026
So he creates drama, he attacks, arouses counter-forces, feels fear—will my luck hold?—defeats the enemy, claims triumph and relaxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026
But the grip on my arm relaxes just a little.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Reynolds, 34, seems surprisingly relaxed considering today marks the final two performances of “1536,” a play she’s been starring in at the Ambassadors Theatre since early May.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Certified eclipse glasses will be available as part of a "relaxed evening".
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
You’ve gone the opposite direction, with 90% in stocks, and, in fairness, many wealth managers have relaxed their views on those “rules of thumb.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 8, 2026
The pair’s voices complement each other, striking a balance between relaxed contemplation and intensity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Another moment of staring, then the man relaxed.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
The home, which was built in 1980, was always meant to serve as a relaxing sanctuary, having been inspired by Balinese architecture.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
To break Coupang's stranglehold, the governing party even proposed relaxing existing restrictions so more retailers can deliver overnight.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Some summer advice: Going for a dip is a relaxing way to beat the heat, but occasionally, something goes wrong.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Venice is that bright, sweet spot in the middle, where you have the more relaxing presence of the water and the beach, but still connected to Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
As I was talking, her face started relaxing.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
