# relaxing

/ɹiˈɫæksɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹɪlˈæksɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/relaxing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. calming

adjective · CEFR A2

making you feel calm and happy because you are not worried or busy.

For teachers: conducive to relaxation; having a soothing or calming effect on the mind or body.

- Listening to the sound of the rain is very relaxing when I am trying to sleep.
- The spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments designed to alleviate the chronic tension often experienced by office workers.

### 2. becoming less tense

verb · CEFR B1

the action of becoming less tight or less worried.

For teachers: the present participle of 'relax', indicating the ongoing process of reducing tension, rigour, or firmness.

- I could feel my muscles relaxing as soon as I stepped into the warm bath.
- By slowly relaxing the grip on the steering wheel, the driver managed to regain control of the vehicle on the icy patch.

### 3. the act of resting

noun · CEFR B2

the activity of spending time resting or doing something enjoyable.

For teachers: the gerund form representing the act or process of achieving a state of rest or decreased tension.

- Relaxing is just as important for your health as working hard.
- The doctor emphasised that consistent relaxing is essential for patients recovering from high-stress cardiac events.

## Examples

- A warm bath is very relaxing after a long day.
- The hotel garden provides a relaxing atmosphere where guests can escape the noise of the city.
- While some find high-intensity sports invigorating, others prefer the relaxing cadence of a slow walk through the countryside to clear their minds.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.