relaxed

[ ri-lakst ]

/ rɪˈlækst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR relaxed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

being free of or relieved from tension or anxiety: in a relaxed mood.

not strict; easy; informal: the relaxed rules of the club.

Nearby words

Origin of relaxed

First recorded in 1630–40; relax + -ed²

Related formsre·lax·ed·ly

[ri-lak-sid-lee, -lakst-lee] /rɪˈlæk sɪd li, -ˈlækst li/, adverbre·lax·ed·ness, nounun·re·laxed, adjective

relax

[ ri-laks ]

/ rɪˈlæks /

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.

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 relaxed

A Charlie Hebdo reporter said that security provision had been relaxed in the last month or so and the police car disappeared.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Royal Christmases have a rhythm and routine—but this year Will, Kate, and baby George have their own, more relaxed plans.
Prince George’s Christmas: Better Than Yours|Tom Sykes|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The drama transfixed the normally calm Sydney, known for its laid-back vibe and relaxed population.
Jihadi Siege in Sydney Ends in Gunfight|Courtney Subramanian, Lennox Samuels, Chris Allbritton|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That the Baltic free air and Riga's welcoming vibe could make her colleagues "too relaxed."
Russia’s Freest Website Now Lives in Latvia|Anna Nemtsova|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

With delisting, relaxed regulations, and hunting quotas, you might add in another one or two hundred dead grizzlies.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the thirteenth century the severities against the usurers were not relaxed.
Usury|Calvin Elliott
Pinney relaxed his gaze with a shrug, and produced the paper.
The Quality of Mercy|W. D. Howells
With a few strokes of his knife he had cut the rawhide thongs that served as fastenings and were relaxed by the wet.
The Treasure of Pearls|Gustave Aimard
He was condemned as a heretic, the headless body was relaxed and burnt and the head was set over one of the gateways.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 4|Henry Charles Lea
She knew that if she relaxed her purposefulness for an instant the love for him would rush over her, weaken her.
The Seventh Man|Max Brand

British Dictionary definitions for relaxed

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 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 relaxed

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 relaxed

relax

[ rĭ-lăks′ ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.

To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.

relaxed

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of relaxed

relax

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of relax

Examples from the Web for relaxed

relax

verb

Word Origin for relax

relax

relax

v.