relax

verb

re·​lax ri-ˈlaks 

relaxed; relaxing; relaxes

transitive verb

1

: to make less tense or rigid : slacken

relaxed his grip

2

: to make less severe or stringent : modify

relax immigration laws

3

: to deprive of energy, zeal, or strength of purpose

4

: to relieve from nervous tension

5

: to treat (hair) chemically in order to relax curls

intransitive verb

1

: to become lax, weak, or loose : rest

2

: to become less intense or severe

hoped the committee would relax in its opposition

3

of a muscle or muscle fiber : to become inactive and lengthen

4

: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety

couldn't relax in crowds

5

: to seek rest or recreation

relax at the seashore

6

: to relieve constipation

7

: to attain equilibrium following the abrupt removal of some influence (such as light, high temperature, or stress)

Synonyms

• unwind
• rest
• decompress
• chill
• chill out [slang]
• wind down

Examples of relax in a Sentence

The muscles in my neck and shoulders should relax after a nice hot shower.

A hot shower relaxed the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders.

I can't relax with all this noise!

Just relax, there's nothing to worry about.

Try to relax and enjoy the ride.

Recent Examples on the Web

But there was one type of holiday that our readers favored above all this year: a relaxing escape, close to a top-tier city. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Not only did Treasury yields outright decline, but other signs of fiscal excess--yield curves, swap spreads, real rates, and the 10-year term premium--also relaxed in recent weeks. —Kelly Evans, CNBC, 8 July 2025

For now, McKinstry has plans to relax on a lake with his agent in the Pacific Northwest. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 July 2025

First, around 2019, Beijing began relaxing its attitude toward Pyongyang. —Andrei Lankov, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin relaxare, from re- + laxare to loosen, from laxus loose — more at slack

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for relax

• attacks
• backpacks
• beeswax
• borax
• callbacks
• carfax
• climax
• cutbacks
• drawbacks
• feedbacks
• flashbacks
• greenbacks

Kids Definition

relax

verb

re·​lax ri-ˈlaks 

1

: to make or become loose or less tense

relaxed my attention

2

: to make or become less severe or strict

relax discipline

3

: to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety

couldn't relax in crowds

4

: to rest or enjoy oneself away from one's usual duties

relaxed at the beach

relaxer noun

Medical Definition

relax

transitive verb

re·​lax ri-ˈlaks 

1

: to slacken or make less tense or rigid

alternately contracting and relaxing their muscles

2

: to relieve from nervous tension

3

: to relieve from constipation

medications to relax the bowels

intransitive verb

1

of a muscle or muscle fiber : to return to an inactive or resting state

especially : to become inactive and lengthen

2

: to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety

couldn't relax in crowds