relaxed
[ri-lakst]
- being free of or relieved from tension or anxiety: in a relaxed mood.
- not strict; easy; informal: the relaxed rules of the club.
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Origin of relaxed
relax
[ri-laks]
- 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.
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- 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.
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Origin of relax
Synonyms
See more synonyms for relax on Thesaurus.com1, 6. loosen, slacken. 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce. 4. ease. 6. unbend. 7. relent, soften.
Antonyms
1, 6. tighten, tense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for relaxed
Contemporary Examples
A Charlie Hebdo reporter said that security provision had been relaxed in the last month or so and the police car disappeared.
Royal Christmases have a rhythm and routine—but this year Will, Kate, and baby George have their own, more relaxed plans.
The drama transfixed the normally calm Sydney, known for its laid-back vibe and relaxed population.
Jihadi Siege in Sydney Ends in GunfightCourtney Subramanian, Lennox Samuels, Chris Allbritton
December 15, 2014
That the Baltic free air and Riga's welcoming vibe could make her colleagues "too relaxed."
With delisting, relaxed regulations, and hunting quotas, you might add in another one or two hundred dead grizzlies.
Historical Examples
Garson relaxed his immobility, and a little color crept into his cheeks.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
After a few moments' silence, it had relaxed into its usual weak condition.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
"Don't worry: I'm going to tell you," she said, her grimness not relaxed.
Alice AdamsBooth Tarkington
His muscles tensed suddenly for a quick spring, then relaxed.
Slaves of MercuryNat Schachner
Suddenly I relaxed my hold, for I was afraid of hurting her now.
The HarborErnest Poole
relax
- 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
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Word Origin
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 relaxed
relax
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
relax
(rĭ-lăks′)- To make or become lax or loose.
- To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.