relax

[ ri-laks ]
/ rɪˈlæks /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of relax

1350–1400; Middle English relaxen < Latin relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equivalent to re- re- + laxāre to loosen, derivative of laxus slack, lax

OTHER WORDS FROM relax

re·lax·a·tive, re·lax·a·tory [ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /rɪˈlæk səˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective re·lax·er, noun o·ver·re·lax, verb un·re·lax·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for relax

British Dictionary definitions for relax

relax
/ (rɪˈlæks) /

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

Derived forms of relax

relaxable, adjective relaxed, adjective relaxedly (rɪˈlæksɪdlɪ), adverb

Word Origin for relax

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

Medical definitions for relax

relax
[ rĭ-lăks ]

v.

To make or become lax or loose.
To relieve or become relieved from tension or strain.