lax

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlaks 

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

lak-ˈsā-shən 

noun

laxly

ˈlaks-lē 

adverb

laxness noun

lax

2 of 2

noun

: lacrosse

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of lax in a Sentence

Adjective

The university has been lax about enforcing these rules.

lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In this new phase of hybrid work, where many have fallen into lax habits, the rules of meetings keep changing. —Danielle Abril, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023

Other features, like a report button, were added only recently, and critics have said the site remains lax about enforcing restrictions. —Kellen Browning, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023

Though considered a conservative judge, Haden had shown no patience for coal industry abuses or lax regulatory attitudes. —Ken Ward Jr., ProPublica, 1 Dec. 2023

The two governors then sparred about their handling of the pandemic with Newsom arguing DeSantis both locked down Florida before California shut down and that his lax policies led to a higher death rate in Florida. —Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2023

Republicans in Congress and elsewhere have frequently attacked him for being too lax on undocumented immigration through the southern border. —William Skipworth, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

When going in-store to carefully inspect an item before purchasing wasn’t an option, retailers implemented lax returns policies. —Heather Hoover-Salomon, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023

Musk previously threatened to sue the ADL because of the nonprofit’s criticism of lax moderation practices on X that allowed antisemitism to spread. —Jacob Kastrenakes, The Verge, 16 Nov. 2023

In the United States, Benson Pai, a former Tesla production worker, has sued the automaker in federal court in California, claiming that lax security by Tesla exposed employee information that could be sold to criminals. —Jack Ewing, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack

Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks

1

: not firm or tight : loose

2

: not strict

laxly adverb

laxness noun

Medical Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks 

1

of the bowels : loose sense 3

2

: having loose bowels