relax
verb /rɪˈlæks/
/rɪˈlæks/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they relax | /rɪˈlæks/ /rɪˈlæks/ |
| he / she / it relaxes | /rɪˈlæksɪz/ /rɪˈlæksɪz/ |
| past simple relaxed | /rɪˈlækst/ /rɪˈlækst/ |
| past participle relaxed | /rɪˈlækst/ /rɪˈlækst/ |
| -ing form relaxing | /rɪˈlæksɪŋ/ /rɪˈlæksɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] to rest while you are doing something that you enjoy, especially after work or effort synonym unwind
- Just relax and enjoy the movie.
- I'm going to spend the weekend just relaxing.
- He was relaxing at home, watching TV.
- She finished her lunch and then relaxed in the sun.
- The boys had been relaxing on the beach at their resort.
- You need a little time to relax and unwind.
- relax with something When I get home from work I like to relax with the newspaper.
- Sit back and relax with a cup of tea.
Extra ExamplesTopics Hobbiesa1- He gradually relaxed and began to enjoy himself.
- He was relaxing on the couch with a book.
- Jenna relaxed against the pillows.
- Just relax and take it easy.
- Just try to relax completely.
- Use music to help you relax.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- completely
- fully
- totally
- …
- begin to
- try to
- learn to
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- lie back and relax
- sit back and relax
- relax and enjoy something/yourself
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to become or make somebody become calmer and less worried
- I'll only relax when I know you're safe.
- I can't relax until I've spoken to her myself.
- 'You need to try and relax,' Jane said.
- Relax! Everything will be OK.
- relax somebody A herbal tea will relax you.
Extra Examples- Julie seems to be relaxing a little now.
- She instantly relaxed at the sight of him.
- She realized how tense she was and consciously relaxed.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- completely
- fully
- totally
- …
- begin to
- try to
- learn to
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- lie back and relax
- sit back and relax
- relax and enjoy something/yourself
- …
- [intransitive, transitive] to become or make something become less tight or stiff
- Allow your muscles to relax completely.
- relax something The massage relaxed my tense back muscles.
- He relaxed his grip on her arm.
- He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax his tensed body.
- (figurative) The dictator refuses to relax his grip on power.
- His severe expression relaxed into a half-smile.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- completely
- fully
- totally
- …
- begin to
- try to
- learn to
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- lie back and relax
- sit back and relax
- relax and enjoy something/yourself
- …
- [transitive] relax something to allow rules, laws, etc. to become less strict
- to relax rules/restrictions/regulations/requirements
- government plans to relax the licensing laws to allow round-the-clock drinking
- The council has relaxed the ban on dogs in city parks.
- [transitive] relax something to allow your attention or effort to become weaker
- You cannot afford to relax your concentration for a moment.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin relaxare, from re- (expressing intensive force) + laxus ‘lax, loose’.