Relax Definition

rĭ-lăks

relaxed, relaxes

verb

relaxed, relaxes

To make looser, or less firm or tense.

To relax one's grip.

Webster's New World

To become looser or less firm, as the muscles.

Webster's New World

To make lax or loose.

Relax one's grip.

American Heritage

To make less strict or severe; soften.

To relax discipline.

Webster's New World

To abate; reduce; slacken.

To relax one's efforts.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Relax

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

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre (“relax, loosen, open"), from re- (“back") + laxāre (“loosen"), from laxus (“loose, free").

From Wiktionary