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.

Words nearby relax

relativity, relativize, relator, relatum, relaunch, relax, relaxant, relaxant reversal, relaxation, relaxation oscillator, relaxation suture

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.

ANTONYMS FOR relax

1, 6 tighten, tense.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for relaxer

Your collecting box, if a zinc one, may also be used as a relaxer.
Butterflies and Moths|William S. Furneaux

British Dictionary definitions for relaxer (1 of 2)

relaxer

/ (rɪˈlæksə) /

noun

a person or thing that relaxes, esp a substance used to straighten curly hair

British Dictionary definitions for relaxer (2 of 2)

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 relaxer

relax

[ rĭ-lăks′ ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.

To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.