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.
-
to diminish the force of.
-
to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
-
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)
-
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.
-
to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
-
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
-
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
-
have relaxedperfect
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has relaxedperfect
-
am relaxingprogressive
-
are relaxingprogressive
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is relaxingprogressive
-
have been relaxingperfect progressive
-
has been relaxingperfect progressive
Past
-
relaxedsimple
-
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
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 5
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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Broward Cadre 8 Practice Vocab Jam
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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:
The bottom line: If you were worried about a stock-market crash in the coming weeks, for no other reason than we’re about to enter October, you can relax.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
That obsession has made it hard for Woodin to just kick back and relax on Saturdays.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and freedom that we all need in our busy lives.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
The 2022 measure “did not repeal, relax, or extend the City’s three-term limit. Rather, it clarified that a full term may exceed four years when authorized by state law,” Leon’s lawyers wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Ma could set up in whatever business she liked, or just relax for the rest of her life.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
The new approach gave the researchers a more realistic view of how Venus's crust stretches, shifts, and relaxes over time.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 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
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
A test of Skydance’s commitment to broadcast may come if the FCC relaxes TV station ownership rules, which would likely lead to consolidation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2025
An older couple relaxes in comfortable chairs, holding magazines.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
I love staying at Soho House because it feels creative, relaxed and private.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
"We really didn't think it was going to go my way. So I felt just excited and relaxed," she said, because she was "100% sure I wasn't gonna win".
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
Not all unions donate to Labour and those which do not are therefore very relaxed about a cap.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
The golf-mad president -- whose relaxed relationship with the game's rules was documented by sports journalist Rick Reilly in the 2019 book "Commander in Cheat" -- may even award the trophy on Sunday.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
His shoulders relaxed a little, but he could still feel tension coursing through him.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
My first sail on Lake Michigan was quieter and more relaxing than I expected, but my favorite detail was the tiny gas grill attached to the rail of the Catalina 27.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
The experience: Varied based on practitioner, but we found it to be overall a deeply relaxing and calming treatment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
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
Because across the field of relaxing families, on the other side of the red and yellow bounce house, a black SUV is pulling into the parking lot of Evans Park.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
