relax

S2 W1

BrE /rɪˈlæks/ AmE /rɪˈlæks/

verb / noun en → es

past relaxed pp relaxed ing relaxing

1 REST/LEISURE [intransitive] A2

to rest or spend time in a way that makes you feel calm and less worried

descansar, relajarse, disfrutar del ocio

  • relax after something

Collocations relax at home · relax on the beach

  • I need to relax after work.

    Necesito relajarme después del trabajo.

2 RELAX MUSCLES [reflexive] B1

to make your muscles less tense or tight, especially when you are worried or nervous

relajarse (los músculos)

  • relax one's muscles

Collocations relax your shoulders · relax your mind

  • Try to relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

    Intente relajar los músculos de su cuello y hombros.

3 MAKE LESS TIGHT [transitive] B1

to make something less tight or tense, such as a rope or string

aflojar, relajar (algo)

  • relax one's grip

Collocations relax the reins · relax a rope

  • He relaxed his grip on the handle.

    Él aflojó su agarre en el mango.

4 MAKE LESS STRICT [transitive] B2

to make rules, laws, or conditions less strict or severe

relajar (una ley), hacer menos estricto

  • relax a rule

Collocations relax the rules · relax the restrictions

  • The government relaxed some of its laws.

    El gobierno relajó algunas de sus leyes.

5 MAKE LESS TIGHT (PHYSICS) [transitive] C1

to make something less tight or tense, such as a string or wire

aflojar, relajar (algo)

  • relax the tension

Collocations relax the tension in a spring · relax the wire

  • The scientist relaxed the tension on the wire.

    El científico aflojó la tensión en el alambre.

6 MAKE LESS TIGHT (MUSIC) [transitive] C1

to make a string or tuning peg less tight on an instrument

aflojar (una cuerda), relajar (un afinador)

  • relax the strings

Collocations relax a guitar string · relax a tuning peg

  • He relaxed the strings on his violin.

    Él aflojó las cuerdas de su violín.

7 MAKE LESS TIGHT (PHOTOGRAPHY) [transitive] C1

to make the focus ring of a camera lens less tight

aflojar (el enfoque), relajar (la lente)

  • relax the focus

Collocations relax the focus ring · relax a lens

  • The photographer relaxed the focus on his camera.

    El fotógrafo aflojó el enfoque en su cámara.

8 MAKE LESS TIGHT (TEXTILE) [transitive] C1

to make a fabric less tight or stretched

aflojar, relajar (el tejido)

  • relax the weave

Collocations relax a fabric · relax a weave

  • The tailor relaxed the weave of the material.

    El sastre aflojó la trama del tejido.