relax
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax.
to relax the muscles.
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to diminish the force of.
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to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
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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)
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to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
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to become less strict or severe; grow milder.
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to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
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to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
verb
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to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid
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(intr) to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort
on Sundays, she just relaxes
she relaxes by playing golf
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to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished
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to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity
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(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
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relaxativeadjective
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relaxatoryadjective
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relaxedadjective
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unrelaxingadjective
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relaxedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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relaxsimple
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relaxessimple
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have relaxedperfect
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has relaxedperfect
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am relaxingprogressive
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are relaxingprogressive
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is relaxingprogressive
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have been relaxingperfect progressive
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has been relaxingperfect progressive
Past
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relaxedsimple
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had relaxedperfect
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was relaxingprogressive
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were relaxingprogressive
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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
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chapter 31: A Troubled Nation
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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:
Outside, the parcel is lined with dozens of palm trees to ensure complete privacy, while a dramatic gated courtyard provides an idyllic place to relax away from prying eyes.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
"It doesn't matter the result but keep pushing, don't relax, get used to not playing too comfortable. We still have a lot of things to improve," the Liverpool head coach said.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
But at the end of the day, she said, people need to relax and remember that what’s at stake is just a tournament trophy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Nitrite helps relax and widen blood vessels, improving blood flow and contributing to lower blood pressure.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
“Oh, because she worries about everything! And she’s so tired when she gets home. We just need to let her relax, okay?”
From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee
On Venus, the rift flanks sink because the crust slowly relaxes after being stretched.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 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
As it bakes, it softens and relaxes, turning creamy at the edges while still holding its shape at the core.
From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2026
As Washington relaxes the rules to ease the global supply crunch, Russia's crude oil sales to India have jumped by 50%.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026
But the grip on my arm relaxes just a little.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
It was a soothing and relaxed space that suggested fun on the horizon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
After arriving in Downing Street on Monday, Burnham delivered a speech without notes and without the traditional lecturn, symbolising the more relaxed image he cultivated over nine years as Manchester mayor.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Beijing has relaxed rules to allow unprofitable artificial-intelligence startups to list on a Nasdaq-like market in Shanghai.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
He has since reinvented himself as a man of the people, melding a relaxed, folksy style with slick social media videos.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
As they departed, their flashlights swept the dismal lot, but their bodies were more relaxed now.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
Some summer advice: Going for a dip is a relaxing way to beat the heat, but occasionally, something goes wrong.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Imagine that you’re relaxing at a casual family gathering.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
Venice is that bright, sweet spot in the middle, where you have the more relaxing presence of the water and the beach, but still connected to Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
She says the idea was to create a relaxing environment away from the overwhelming main shop floor - to put those with additional needs at ease.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
But she had to admit, she also enjoyed sitting here relaxing, her feet and legs toasty, the whole household doing whatever she wanted!
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
