definitions
  • synonyms

relax

[ ri-laks ]
/ rɪˈlæks /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR relax ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

unwind, recline, soften, calm, loosen, slow, reduce, ease, relieve, modify, lower, weaken, repose, rest, tranquilize, laze, unbend, unlax, mitigate, slack

Nearby words

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.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR relax ON THESAURUS.COM
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 relaxing

British Dictionary definitions for relaxing

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 relaxing

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for relaxing

relax

[ rĭ-lăks′ ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.
To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.