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
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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
-
have relaxedperfect
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has relaxedperfect
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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
-
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:
When it’s not scorching or flooding or burning outside, it’s a nice time to just turn off your brain and relax.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 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
“We wanted to provide a place for adults to relax and reset and get ready for the next day or week,” co-owner Christie Kim says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
The European Union wants to further relax its landmark carbon-pricing system to give the bloc’s heavy industry more breathing space to decarbonize.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Well, Ida,” she said, “there are different times for different things. I’ll let you know when it’s time for each thing. Why don’t you just relax and enjoy the day.”
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
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
Spend the day at Cacupé Beach, grab a meal at Cumbuca and then enjoy the wide sandy beach where everyone plays soccer, swims and relaxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
She says this "swarm-like behaviour" means that when a more significant earthquake strikes, for example a magnitude four, the "seismicity is increased for one to two hours, and then the system relaxes again".
From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2025
He loosens his tie and relaxes back into his chair.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
Importantly, businesses also appear relatively relaxed about pricing.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
Western Europe, which had been remarkably relaxed about the siege as it was happening, found itself confronting an enemy much more formidable than before.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
I wanted to resemble the relaxed browsers who paused over a melon because its scent had summoned them.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
“We have not missed a beat,” Edwards said as he, Lucey and Barberie relaxed in an office lounge after a recent taping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Christopher’s stomach, which had been iron cold and hard with fear, relaxed.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
But what a relaxing oasis above the crowds with several seating areas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● 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
Imagine that you’re relaxing at a casual family gathering.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 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
That Sunday evening began with people gathered around the family radio, relaxing as the weekend drew to a close.
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
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.
