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Elementary Dictionary
       

re·lax

relax

 
 
pronunciation:
rih laeks
features:
Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: verb
inflections: relaxes, relaxing, relaxed
definition 1: When you relax, you do things that make you feel calm or less tired. Some people sit in a chair or lie down when they want to relax. Some people do things that are just fun for them to do like fishing or working in a garden.
Elliot relaxed on the beach while reading his favorite book.
 
definition 2: When people relax, they feel less nervous or worried than before.
Brianna relaxed when the doctor told her that her mother's surgery was a success.Wilson was nervous about playing well in the next game, but his teammate told him to just relax since they practiced really hard.
synonyms:
calm down
antonyms:
tense
definition 3: When you relax your arm, you stop using your muscles in it and make it loose.
Kristin relaxed her shoulders after she finished reciting her poem to the class.
synonyms:
loosen
antonyms:
stretch, tense
similar words:
ease, free, release
definition 4: If someone relaxes something, they make it less strict or tough. When the teacher relaxes a rule, it means that the teacher is not so strict about it, or she changes the rule so that you have more freedom.
The library relaxed its rule about how many books you can borrow at a time. Now you can borrow up to seven books instead of only five.
antonyms:
tighten
similar words:
ease, soften
derivations: relaxedly (adv.), relaxer (n.)
Word Builder: relax +
  • relaxed:
    less tense; more comfortable.
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  drug, muscle