relax

[ ri-laks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax:

   to relax the muscles.

   Synonyms: slacken, loosen

   Antonyms: tense, tighten

2. to diminish the force of.

   Synonyms: reduce, lessen, weaken, mitigate

3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.:

   to relax the requirements for a license.

   Synonyms: ease

5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.:

   A short swim always relaxes me.

verb (used without object)

1. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.

   Synonyms: unbend, slacken, loosen

   Antonyms: tense, tighten

2. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.

   Synonyms: soften, relent

3. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., especially for the sake of rest or recreation.
4. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

relax

/ rɪˈlæks; rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to make (muscles, a grip, etc) less tense or rigid or (of muscles, a grip, etc) to become looser or less rigid
2. intr to take rest or recreation, as from work or effort

   she relaxes by playing golf

   on Sundays, she just relaxes

3. to lessen the force of (effort, concentration, etc) or (of effort) to become diminished
4. to make (rules or discipline) less rigid or strict or (of rules, etc) to diminish in severity
5. intr (of a person) to become less formal; unbend

Derived Forms

• reˈlaxed, adjective
• reˈlaxable, adjective
• relaxedly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·laxa·tive re·lax·a·tory [ri-, lak, -s, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• re·laxer noun
• over·re·lax verb
• unre·laxing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relax¹

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,” lax ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relax¹

C15: from Latin relaxāre to loosen, from re- + laxāre to loosen, from laxus loose, lax

Example Sentences

Seated in a conference room at Disney’s Burbank studio, Jenkins is as chill as the boy in the picture — excited but also relaxed, taking this moment in stride.

From Los Angeles Times

But proportional underenrollment of students of color led the district to relax its requirements for entry before it recently reversed course.

From Los Angeles Times

Margaret Thatcher was in No 10, Sister Sledge was Number One in the charts - and health and safety rules were somewhat more relaxed than today.

From BBC

Interviews with the teachers following the intervention also suggested that children were more calm, relaxed and attentive in class after time spent in nature.

From Science Daily

He misreads my face and says, “Try to remember that tennis is play! Just relax and don’t think.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ease
• loosen
• lower
• modify
• reduce
• relieve
• slow
• weaken