relax
pronunciation
How to pronounce relax in British English:
UK [rɪˈlæks]
How to pronounce relax in American English:
US [rɪˈlæks]
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- Verb:
- become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
- make less tight
- become loose or looser or less tight
- cause to feel relaxed
- become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner
- make less severe or strict
- become less severe or strict
- make less active or fast
Word Origin
- relax
- relax: see relish
- relax (v.)
- late 14c., "to make (something) less compact or dense," from Old French relaschier "set free; soften; reduce" (14c.), from Latin relaxare "relax, loosen, open, stretch out, widen again; make loose," from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose" (see lax). Of persons, "to become less formal," from 1837. Meaning "decrease tension" is from early 15c.; intransitive sense of "to become less tense" is recorded from 1935. Related: Relaxed; relaxing.
Example
- 1. You may need time to relax .
- 2. So why relax the rules on weight and body art ?
- 3. I should relax and have some fun , right ?
- 4. A group of black panthers relax in a park in oakland , california .
- 5. Both towns have many lovely gardens where the students can read and relax in the summer months .