relax
gb/ɹilˈæks/ us/ɹilˈæks/
A2
English
~ 2400
kikapcsolódik, ellazul, megnyugszik, enyhít, lazít, ellazít
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to relax [someone] / to relax after [something]
She likes to relax with a good book in the evening.
Szeret esténként egy jó könyvvel kikapcsolódni.
After the meeting, we went for a walk to relax.
Az értekezlet után elmentünk sétálni, hogy kikapcsolódjunk.
He needs to relax and stop worrying about every detail.
The massage helped her relax.
Take a deep breath and try to relax.
Learner examples
I relax in the park.
A parkban szoktam kikapcsolódni.
He relaxes after work.
Munka után kikapcsolódik.
We relax on the weekend.
Please sit down and relax.
She relaxes when she listens to music.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'relax' with 'rest.' 'Rest' means to stop working or moving, while 'relax' focuses on reducing stress or tension.
Meaning
become calmer or less tense
Collocations
relax at home
|relax after work
|help relax
|time to relax
|relax and enjoy
Synonyms
unwind (Slightly more informal; often used for relaxing after work or stress.)
Antonyms
tense up (Means to become more nervous or physically tight.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|health
Definition
To become calm and not worried or tense.
To make or become less anxious, tense, or stressed.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to relax [a rule / restriction]
The government decided to relax the travel restrictions.
A kormány úgy döntött, hogy enyhíti az utazási korlátozásokat.
They plan to relax the dress code for the summer.
Azt tervezik, hogy nyárra lazítanak az öltözködési szabályokon.
The school may relax its attendance policy next year.
Learner examples
They relax the rules in summer.
Nyáron lazítanak a szabályokon.
The school will relax the dress code.
Az iskola lazítani fog az öltözködési szabályokon.
The city relaxed parking laws for the holiday.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the personal feeling of becoming calm; here it refers to changing rules, not emotions.
Meaning
make rules less strict
Collocations
relax the rules
|relax restrictions
|relax regulations
Synonyms
loosen (Can be used for both physical and figurative loosening; slightly broader than 'relax' in this sense.)
Antonyms
tighten (Means to make rules or controls stricter.)
Themes
law
|business
|politics
Definition
To make rules or laws easier or less strict.
To make a rule, law, or control less strict or severe.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to relax [muscles / body part]
Relax your shoulders and take a deep breath.
Lazítsd el a vállaidat, és vegyél egy mély levegőt.
The therapist told him to relax his grip on the ball.
A terapeuta azt mondta neki, hogy fogja lazábban a labdát.
She tried to relax her neck muscles after sitting too long.
Learner examples
Relax your arms.
Lazítsd el a karjaidat.
He relaxed his legs after running.
Futás után ellazította a lábizmait.
She relaxed her back on the chair.
Meaning
loosen muscles or body parts
Collocations
relax your shoulders
|relax the muscles
|relax your grip
Synonyms
loosen (A more general word for making something less tight; can apply to non-physical things too.)
Antonyms
tense (Means to make muscles tight.)
Themes
health
|sports
|body
Definition
To make your body or muscles loose and not tight.
To make a muscle or body part less tight or stiff.
Grammar
Dictionary form
relax
IPA
GB/ɹilˈæks/
US/ɹilˈæks/
Syllables & stress
re - lax (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lax)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: relax
- 3rd Person Singular: relaxes
- Present Participle: relaxing
- Past: relaxed
Word family
Forms
relaxes
verb
relaxing
verb
relaxed
verb
Core family
relaxation
noun B1
Advanced or less common
relaxant
noun
Expressions
relax and enjoy yourself
1/ɹilˈæks ˈænd ɪnd͡ʒˈɔɪ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
stop worrying and have fun
To not be stressed and have a good time.
Examples
- Come on, relax and enjoy yourself at the party.
- You’ve worked hard—now just relax and enjoy yourself.
relax the rules
1/ɹilˈæks ðə ɹˈulz/
fixed phrase
make rules less strict
To make rules easier and less strict.
Examples
- The school will relax the rules for the festival.
- They decided to relax the rules during the holiday season.
sit back and relax
1/sˈɪt bˈæk ˈænd ɹilˈæks/
fixed phrase
be at ease without effort
To rest comfortably and not do any work or worry.
Examples
- Sit back and relax while we take care of everything.
- All you have to do is sit back and relax.