relax
Americanverb (used with object)
-
relaxes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relaxed,
past participle, past
-
relaxing
present participle
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- ease
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to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc..
A short swim always relaxes me.
verb (used without object)
-
relaxes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relaxed,
past participle, past
-
relaxing
present participle
-
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.
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 effort
on 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
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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relaxernoun
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overrelaxverb
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relaxableadjective
-
relaxativeadjective
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relaxatoryadjective
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relaxedadjective
-
unrelaxingadjective
-
relaxedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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relaxsimple
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relaxessimple
-
have relaxedperfect
-
has relaxedperfect
-
am relaxingprogressive
-
are relaxingprogressive
-
is relaxingprogressive
-
have been relaxingperfect progressive
-
has been relaxingperfect progressive
Past
-
relaxedsimple
-
had relaxedperfect
-
was relaxingprogressive
-
were relaxingprogressive
-
had been relaxingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of relax
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English relaxen, from Latin relaxāre “to stretch out again, loosen,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + laxāre “to loosen,” derivative of laxus “loose, spacious, wide,” see lax 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Relax is a verb that describes feeling less stressed out or tense. If you want to relax after a crazy day at school, you might watch TV, take a nap, or do yoga to help you unwind. Relax can also refer to behavior that grows less formal or restrained, like a beach wedding where the bride and groom relax the usually formal ceremony by wearing casual clothing. Relax can also mean to become less tight. When you relax your grip on a pen, your hold loosens up. Relax can also refer to something that becomes less severe or strict. If your teacher would relax the attendance rules, you wouldn't keep getting in trouble for skipping class!
Vocabulary lists containing relax
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
There is no time to relax on a Hallmark cruise if you’re all in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Yet another will relax rules around the routine flaring of "associated gas."
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
When popular Kenyan food creator That Girl Boina took a two-week holiday to Europe, she expected to relax.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
He remembers Paul Newman telling him on the set of Martin Scorsese’s “The Color of Money” that it had taken him 25 years to truly relax in front of the camera.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
In spite of myself, I began to relax.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
These included reductions in systolic blood pressure, which measures pressure when the heart contracts, and diastolic blood pressure, which measures pressure when the heart relaxes.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026
That was a sign that it could have trouble buying as much bonds as investors have expected unless it relaxes guidelines on the prices it will pay.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
It’s kind of like when you are staring at something and you unfix your eyes, and your body relaxes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Best part: The clippers work for cheap, and none of the promotional aspects need to be publicly disclosed, thanks to a federal-regulation loophole that relaxes transparency standards on ads that don’t sell tangible products.
From Slate ● May 6, 2026
I feel Tao stiffen against me for a moment, his heart pattering against my ear before he relaxes again.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
I can see it in the relaxed, oversize suit she’s wearing, and the way her hair is thrown up in a claw clip.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Woods recalled feeling relaxed throughout the celebrations, with one bridal accessory briefly threatening to disrupt her calm.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
You are more relaxed than you have ever been, and you have forgotten the way nearly every news story of the last decade grabs hold of your heart and squeezes, twists, strangles.
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026
On the campaign trail, both contenders have been making similar clothing choices, wearing relaxed blazers and cowboy boots.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
She relaxed into my desk chair with a grin.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
“For example, Mailyan billed over $200,000 for purportedly providing Botox services to patients in California when she was actually relaxing on the beach in Cabo.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
After a tour around the country, what could be more relaxing than my colleagues’ suggestions about how to unwind this evening?
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
With an entire wing dedicated to the primary suite, which features a fireplace, patio with direct access to the pool, and a lavish bathroom, the abode is certainly a relaxing retreat.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
Scrolling through a "relaxing jazz piano playlist" with over 370,000 saves on Spotify, he spots that top featured artists that rack up hundreds of thousands of monthly listens have unverified accounts.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
The morning sounds were so soft, so gentle and relaxing.
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
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