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.
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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
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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
-
have relaxedperfect
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has relaxedperfect
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am relaxingprogressive
-
are relaxingprogressive
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is relaxingprogressive
-
have been relaxingperfect progressive
-
has been relaxingperfect progressive
Past
-
relaxedsimple
-
had relaxedperfect
-
was relaxingprogressive
-
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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Broward Cadre 8 Practice Vocab Jam
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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:
The bottom line: If you were worried about a stock-market crash in the coming weeks, for no other reason than we’re about to enter October, you can relax.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and freedom that we all need in our busy lives.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
The 2022 measure “did not repeal, relax, or extend the City’s three-term limit. Rather, it clarified that a full term may exceed four years when authorized by state law,” Leon’s lawyers wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Widespread drought and record-breaking heatwaves have forced France to relax some of its famously strict rules on cheese production, with authorities announcing Wednesday special measures for abondance, beaufort and comte.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Jonafren stopped beside Alaric at the workstation and seemed to relax a bit at those words.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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
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
The unbinding of one molecule of oxygen coordinately relaxes all the other clasps, like the crucial pin-piece pulled out from a child’s puzzle.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
For years, Karl has been relaxed about the end date.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
I love staying at Soho House because it feels creative, relaxed and private.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
I have been feeling pretty good, I just wasn't relaxed.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
Fellow co-chair David Chatillon said the relaxed alcohol content would concern just a small number of growers.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Nighthand did not have the relaxed look of a man on holiday.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
My first sail on Lake Michigan was quieter and more relaxing than I expected, but my favorite detail was the tiny gas grill attached to the rail of the Catalina 27.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
Taking a look through the listing, it’s easy to see how the four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom property would have served as a relaxing retreat for an editor who had such an impact on the film industry.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
They're calming, relaxing, and the vibrations can help put you into a meditative state.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
I feel like that still gives me time to sleep in and feel like I’m still having a relaxing day, but it’s still early enough to do stuff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Duke, the star of Dog Squad, relaxing in his “private bungalow.”
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
