How to pronounce relax
Say it like rih-LAKS. Relax has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAKS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce relax. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- LAKS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relax pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LAKSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of relax
American and British speakers say relax in essentially the same way: /rɪˈlæks/ in the US and /rɪˈlæks/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LAKS.
What does relax mean?
- become less tense, rest, or take one's ease“He relaxed in the hot tub”“Let's all relax after a hard day's work”
- make less taut“relax the tension on the rope”
- become loose or looser or less tight“The noose loosened”“the rope relaxed”
Where does relax come from?
From Middle English relaxen, from Old French relaxer, from Latin relaxāre (“relax, loosen, open”), from re- (“back”) + laxāre (“loosen”), from laxus (“loose, free”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with relax
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of relax.
Questions about saying relax
How do you pronounce relax?
Say rih-LAKS. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈlæks/. In British English it is /rɪˈlæks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relax?
Relax has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAKS). Broken into parts: rih · LAKS.
Do Americans and Brits say relax the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈlæks/ and the British form is /rɪˈlæks/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.