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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Relax Definition, Examples & How to Use It (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：unwind (relax)

relax 🔊

/rɪˈlæks/

to become less active and more calm and happy

Person relaxing on sofa with tea peaceful expression

unwind 🔊

➕

/ʌnˈwaɪnd/

To stop feeling stressed or tense and to rest or do something enjoyable.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

re- (back) + lax (loose) = to loosen back

💡 Mnemonic

Re- like recharge, lax like flexible. Recharge and become flexible to unwind.

📖 Example

After a long day at work, I like to relax by listening to soft music. 🔊 After a long day at work, I like to relax by listening to soft music.

🔗 Collocations

relax at home – to rest and unwind in one's residence

relax after work – to de-stress following the end of the workday

relax by doing something – to become calm through a specific activity

🔄 Synonyms

unwind (v.) – to relax after a period of work or tension

chill out (phr. v.) – to calm down and stop worrying

de-stress (v.) – to relieve or reduce stress

🚫 Antonyms

tense up (phr. v.) – to become stiff or anxious

stress (v.) – to feel worried or nervous

worry (v.) – to feel anxious about something

🌱 Derivatives

relaxation (n.) – the state of being free from tension

relaxing (adj.) – causing relaxation

relaxed (adj.) – feeling calm and free from worry

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin relaxare 'to loosen, stretch out', from re- 'back' + laxare 'loosen'. Originally meant 'to make less compact'.

Meaning 2：soothe (relax)

relax 🔊

/rɪˈlæks/

to make someone become less active and more calm and happy

Gentle shoulder massage soothing relax calm room

soothe 🔊

➕

/suːð/

To cause a part of the body or a person to become less tense or tight, reducing soreness or discomfort.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The gentle massage helped to relax my sore muscles. 🔊 The gentle massage helped to soothe my sore muscles.

🔗 Collocations

relax the muscles – to make the muscles less tight and more flexible

relax one's mind – to calm one's thoughts and reduce mental tension

relax the tension – to reduce physical or emotional strain

🔄 Synonyms

loosen (v.) – to make something less tight or stiff

soothe (v.) – to relieve pain or discomfort gently

ease (v.) – to make something less severe or unpleasant

🚫 Antonyms

tighten (v.) – to make something more taut or firm

tense (v.) – to make muscles stiff and tight

contract (v.) – to become shorter or tighter, especially muscles

🌱 Derivatives

relaxation (n.) – the act of making something less tight or tense

relaxing (adj.) – serving to reduce tension

relaxed (adj.) – made less tense or stiff