relax

[ri-laks]

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verb (used with object)

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.

to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.: A short swim always relaxes me.

verb (used without object)

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.

Nearby words

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

SYNONYMS FOR relax

1, 6. loosen, slacken. 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce. 4. ease. 6. unbend. 7. relent, soften.

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ANTONYMS FOR relax

1, 6. tighten, tense.

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Related formsre·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for relax

I tried to relax too, but I felt my stomach tighten and I began to sweat.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Libkin found old beds to put in the wild-looking garden around Dacha, so couples in love could relax on them after the meal.
In War-Torn Ukraine, Savva Libkin's Delicious Recipes for Survival|Anna Nemtsova|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why won't anyone let Justin Bieber relax and have a good time?!
An Unlikely Hero Blooms in Ibiza: Orlando Bloom Sort of Punches Justin Bieber|Amy Zimmerman|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But as the opening crawl assures, “none of this is canon, so just relax.”
‘Phineas and Ferb’ Pilot Disney’s Premier Voyage into ‘Star Wars’|Jason Lynch|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It strolls and meanders, stopping to relax on a bench for a spell and feel the fresh breeze.
Disney World Means Everything to a Special Needs Mom|Elizabeth Picciuto|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why couldn't he relax into a life such as they led, without all this talk of effort and planning?
The Wrong Twin|Harry Leon Wilson
Another quarter passed, and lest the cord should relax she changed it from one hand to the other.
Hetty Gray|Rosa Mulholland
He can't just relax and enjoy the scene and become the actor like a paying customer.
The Premiere|Richard Sabia
“Sure feels good to get out and stretch,” smiled Bob, taking advantage of the opportunity to relax his cramped legs.
Captured by the Arabs|James H. Foster
With Wagner's death in 1883 his hold on mundane matters began to relax.
Franz Liszt|James Huneker

British Dictionary definitions for relax

relax

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 Formsrelaxable, 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

Word Origin and History for relax

relax

late 14c., "to make (something) less compact or dense," from Old French relaschier "set free; soften; reduce" (14c.), from Latin relaxare "relax, loosen, open, stretch out, widen again; make loose," from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Of persons, "to become less formal," from 1837. Meaning "decrease tension" is from early 15c.; intransitive sense of "to become less tense" is recorded from 1935. Related: Relaxed; relaxing.

Medicine definitions for relax

relax

[rĭ-lăks′]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.

To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.

relax

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Nearby words

Origin of relax

Examples from the Web for relax

relax

verb

Word Origin for relax

relax

relax

v.