What does "relaxed" mean?

1. (calm and not worried) feeling calm and comfortable because you are not worried or stressed. 2. (informal or less strict) not strict or formal; easygoing. 3. (physically loose) not tight or tensed, especially when talking about your muscles.

relaxed

adj.

US //ɹiˈɫækst// UK //ɹɪlˈækst// re·laxed

1 calm and not worried (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

feeling calm and comfortable because you are not worried or stressed.

characterised by a state of psychological ease and freedom from anxiety.

Example

He felt much more relaxed after his two-week holiday by the sea.

Example

Despite the high stakes of the negotiation, the lead diplomat maintained a relaxed demeanour that helped de-escalate the tension in the room.
- calm
- carefree
- easygoing
2 informal or less strict (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

not strict or formal; easygoing.

having a lack of strictness or formality; lenient in application or atmosphere.

Example

The office has a relaxed dress code, so most people wear jeans.

Example

The school adopted a more relaxed approach to its curriculum, allowing students to pursue independent projects alongside their core subjects.

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 physically loose (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

not tight or tensed, especially when talking about your muscles.

exhibiting a lack of physical tension or contraction; in a state of physiological rest.

Example

Try to keep your shoulders relaxed while you are sitting at your desk.

Example

The therapist instructed the patient to keep their leg muscles relaxed during the examination to ensure an accurate assessment of the joint.

Origin

From relax + -ed, originally after Latin relaxātus.