lax

adjective \ ˈlaks \

Definition of lax

1 a of the bowels :loose, open

b :having loose bowels

2 :deficient in firmness :not stringent

lax control

a lax foreman

security has been lax

3 a :not tense, firm, or rigid :slack

a lax rope

b :having an open or loose texture

a lax soil

c :having the constituents spread apart

a lax flower cluster

4 :articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)

—

laxation

play \lak-ˈsā-shən\ noun

—

laxly

play \ˈlaks-lē\ adverb

—

laxness

noun

See lax defined for English-language learners

See lax defined for kids

Examples of lax in a Sentence

The university has been lax about enforcing these rules.
lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Recent Examples of lax from the Web

The NRA also has not been vocal about the stubborn fact that white men are responsible for most of America’s mass shootings and that the NRA’s lobbying for lax gun laws enables potential mass shooters to have easier access to weapons.

— chaédria labouvier, SELF, "Why the Women's March Against the NRA Is So Crucial for the Black Community," 18 July 2017
Little surprise, then, that the Trump’s administration lax approach to ethics rules rankled Chen.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "DOJ Ethics Watchdog Resigns Because Trump Made Her Feel Like a Hypocrite," 3 July 2017
Thailand’s boom of the mid-1990s, fueled by unrestrained borrowing and a corrupt, lax finance system, collapsed on July 2, 1997, when the government devalued the baht.

— jerry harmer, The Seattle Times, "20 years on, scars from Asian financial meltdown linger," 28 June 2017
Praxis Partners, Harris’ company, is assessing the health department, which has come under scrutiny in recent months for failing to notify women about abnormal Pap smears and lax oversight of swimming pools.

— caroline metzler and fred clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, "‘The optics are horrible.’ Was hiring of interim health director a conflict of interest?," 22 June 2017
In 2011, former Kentucky State Auditor Crit Luallen found MSD at the time was beset by poor management, lax business practices, conflicts of interest and wasteful spending.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Fired MSD auditor claims whistleblower status, alleges misdeeds and discrimination," 21 June 2017
This isn't available on the desktop chips, where power constraints are relatively lax and governed more by the cooling system than anything else.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "AMD muscles in on Xeon’s turf as it unveils Epyc," 20 June 2017
This lack of information is evident in the relatively lax process of cannabis testing, compared to prescription drugs or foods.

— lynn johnson, National Geographic, "Organic Weed? Marijuana Growers Go Green," 16 June 2017
The anger was particularly strong since activists had warned just seven months ago that fire safety procedures were so lax that only a catastrophic blaze would bring the scrutiny needed to make the building safe.

— danica kirka, The Denver Post, "London residents demand answers in deadly high-rise blaze," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lax

Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

lax Synonyms

Synonyms

careless, derelict, disregardful, negligent, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, remiss, slack

Antonyms

attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent

Related Words

heedless, incautious, irresponsible, reckless, wild; unguarded, unwary; forgetful; disregardful, disregarding, inattentive, oblivious, thoughtless, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking; apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested; delinquent; loose

Near Antonyms

meticulous, painstaking, punctilious; cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded; alert, heedful, heeding, mindful, observant, regardful, regarding, vigilant, wary, watchful; foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, responsible; thinking, thoughtful; concerned, interested

Synonym Discussion of lax

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

- negligent about writing a note of thanks

neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

- a society callously neglectful of the poor

lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

- a reporter lax about accurate quotation

slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

- slack workmanship

remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

- had been remiss in their familial duties

lax

noun

Definition of lax

:lacrosse

Recent Examples of lax from the Web

LAX may be the most common example for celebrity travel, but the fact is that major airports and airlines around the world invest in such spaces to keep their VIP clientele comfortable.

— cynthia drescher, CNT, "The Secret VIP Airport Lounges You Don't Know About," 2 Aug. 2017
LAX is about a 3-hour drive and a perfect commute to start your journey (The mountains!

— samantha leal, Marie Claire, "Weekend Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, and Drink in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley," 13 Mar. 2017
According to Fox News, pilots and flight attendants also rank LAX as one of their least favorite airports.

— katherine lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Meeting Between President Trump and U.S. Airline Execs—Annotated," 9 Feb. 2017
Ali was detained for 12 hours in Saudi Arabia while attempting to board a connecting flight to LAX.

— liset marquez, Orange County Register, "Fontana woman gets caught up in immigration ban, finally makes it home with help of sister in Orange County," 31 Jan. 2017
Corden taped his walk through LAX on the way to his flight—including a shot of a small cluster of protesters.

— laura bradley, vanityfair.com, "See James Corden’s Simple, Powerful Anti–“Muslim Ban” Statement," 31 Jan. 2017
Corden taped his walk through LAX on the way to his flight—including a shot of a small cluster of protesters.

— laura bradley, HWD, "See James Corden’s Simple, Powerful Anti–“Muslim Ban” Statement," 31 Jan. 2017
Connectivity: LAX offers free Wi-Fi throughout its terminals.

— elaine glusac, New York Times, "An Airport Survival Guide," 1 Sep. 2016
By the mid-1980s, LAX hosted less than a thousand butterflies.

— National Geographic, "Rare Butterflies Flying High at Los Angeles Airport," 21 Apr. 2016

Origin and Etymology of lax

by shortening & alteration (x as symbol for -crosse)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1951

See Words from the same year

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

LAX Defined for English Language Learners

lax

adjective

Definition of lax for English Language Learners

: not careful enough : not strict enough

LAX Defined for Kids

lax

adjective \ ˈlaks \

Definition of lax for Students

1 :not firm or tight :loose

The straps were lax.

2 :not stern or strict

lax discipline

—

laxness

noun

Medical Dictionary

lax

adjective \ ˈlaks \

medical Definition of lax

1 of the bowels :loose 3

2 :having loose bowels

Learn More about lax

See words that rhyme with lax Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lax Spanish Central: Translation of lax Nglish: Translation of lax for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lax for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lax? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

lax

Definition of lax

laxation

laxly

laxness

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of lax in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lax from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lax

lax Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of lax

lax

Definition of lax

Recent Examples of lax from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lax

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

LAX Defined for English Language Learners

lax

Definition of lax for English Language Learners

LAX Defined for Kids

lax

Definition of lax for Students

laxness

Medical Dictionary

lax

medical Definition of lax

Learn More about lax

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066