Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
relaxing - 2 dictionary results
Relaxing Music
Relax Your Mind & Bring Peace To Your Day. Unlimited Downloads
www.RelaxingMusicSource.com
American Softub
Call With Questions 818.957.8827 Portable Hot Tub Spa & Supplies
www.americansoftub.com
Dictionary.com Free Toolbar
Define Relaxing Instantly. Faster Page Loads With Fewer Ads.
Dictionary.com

re⋅lax

  [ri-laks]
Use relaxing in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax: to relax the muscles.
2. to diminish the force of.
3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.: to relax the requirements for a license.
5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.: A short swim always relaxes me.
–verb (used without object)
6. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
7. to become less strict or severe; grow milder.
8. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation.
9. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME relaxen < L relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equiv. to re- re- + laxāre to loosen, deriv. of laxus slack, lax

Related forms:
re⋅lax⋅a⋅tive, re⋅lax⋅a⋅tory  [ri-lak-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
re⋅lax⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1, 6. loosen, slacken. 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce. 4. ease. 6. unbend. 7. relent, soften.

Antonyms:
1, 6. tighten, tense.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To relaxing
re·lax   (rĭ-lāks')   
v.   re·laxed, re·lax·ing, re·lax·es

v.   tr.
  1. To make lax or loose: relax one's grip.
  2. To make less severe or strict: relax a curfew.
  3. To reduce in intensity; slacken: relax one's efforts.
  4. To relieve from tension or strain: The warm bath relaxed me.
v.   intr.
  1. To take one's ease; rest.
  2. To become lax or loose.
  3. To become less severe or strict.
  4. To become less restrained or tense.

[Middle English relaxen, from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre : re-, re- + laxāre, to loosen (from laxus, loose; see slēg- in Indo-European roots).]
re·lax'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see relaxing on Thesaurus | Reference
Relaxing Music
Relax Your Mind & Bring Peace To Your Day. Unlimited Downloads
www.RelaxingMusicSource.com
American Softub
Call With Questions 818.957.8827 Portable Hot Tub Spa & Supplies
www.americansoftub.com