relax

re·lax

Use relax in a sentence

A couple relax in front of the tv.

verb

To relax is defined as to become calm, to loosen, or to calm down.

An example of to relax is to sit on the couch and watch TV after a long day of work.

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"relax." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax>.

APA Style

relax. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax

relax

to make looser, or less firm or tense: to relax one's grip
to make less strict or severe; soften: to relax discipline
to abate; reduce; slacken: to relax one's efforts
to release from intense concentration, hard work, worry, etc.; give rest to: to relax the mind
to treat (tightly curled hair) with a chemical solution so as to loosen the curls

Origin of relax

Middle English relaxen, to loosen from Classical Latin relaxare from re-, back + laxare, to loosen, widen from laxus, loose: see lax

to become looser or less firm, as the muscles
to become less tense or stern, as one's features
to become less strict, or milder, as discipline
to become easier, or less stiff, in manner
to rest from effort, worry, or work, as by lying down, engaging in recreation, etc.

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MLA Style

"relax." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax>.

APA Style

relax. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax

relax

verb

re·laxed, re·lax·ing, re·lax·es

verb

transitive

To make lax or loose: relax one's grip.
To make less severe or strict: relax a curfew.
To reduce in intensity; slacken: relax one's efforts.
To relieve from tension or strain: The warm bath relaxed me.

verb

intransitive

To take one's ease; rest.
To become lax or loose.
To become less severe or strict.
To become less restrained or tense.

Origin of relax

Middle English relaxen from Old French relaxer from Latin relaxāre re- re- laxāre to loosen ( from laxus loose ; see slēg- in Indo-European roots.)

Related Forms:

re·lax′a·ble
adjective

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"relax." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax>.

APA Style

relax. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/relax

Verb

(third-person singular simple present relaxes, present participle relaxing, simple past and past participle relaxed)

To calm down.
To make something loose.
to relax a rope or cord; to relax the muscles or sinews
(intransitive) To become loose.
To make something less severe or tense.
to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavours
(intransitive) To become less severe or tense.
To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient.
1953, Edward Corwin, “Section 2. Jurisdiction", in The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation, page 589:
The Court rejected the contention that the doctrine of sovereign immunity should be relaxed as inapplicable to suits for specific relief as distinguished from damage suits, saying: "The Government, as representative of the community as a whole, cannot be stopped in its tracks by any plaintiff who presents a disputed question of property or contract right."
(intransitive, of codes and regulations) To become more lenient.
To relieve (something) from stress.
Amusement relaxes the mind.
(dated) To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open.
An aperient relaxes the bowels.