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relax

[ ri-laks ]
/ rɪˈlæks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR relax ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Origin of relax

1350–1400; Middle English relaxen<Latin relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equivalent to re-re- + laxāre to loosen, derivative of laxus slack, lax

OTHER WORDS FROM relax

re·lax·a·tive, re·lax·a·tory [ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /rɪˈlæk səˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivere·lax·er, nouno·ver·re·lax, verbun·re·lax·ing, adjective

Words nearby relax

relativity, relativize, relator, relatum, relaunch, relax, relaxant, relaxant reversal, relaxation, relaxation oscillator, relaxation suture
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to relax

unwind, recline, soften, calm, loosen up, sit back, lie down, slow, reduce, ease, relieve, modify, lower, weaken, repose, rest, tranquilize, laze, unbend, unlax

Example sentences from the Web for relax

British Dictionary definitions for relax

relax
/ (rɪˈlæks) /

verb

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 efforton 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

Derived forms of relax

relaxable, adjectiverelaxed, adjectiverelaxedly (rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ), adverb

Word Origin for relax

C15: from Latin relaxāre to loosen, from re- + laxāre to loosen, from laxus loose, lax
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for relax

relax
[ rĭ-lăks′ ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.
To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.