relaxer

UK: /rɪˈlæksə/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

relaxer / rɪˈlæksə/ noun

1. a person or thing that relaxes, esp a substance used to straighten curly hair

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•lax /rɪˈlæks/   v. 

1. to (cause to) be made less tense, rigid, or firm: [~ + object]
   a drug to relax the muscles.
   [no object]
   Her muscles relaxed during sleep.
2. to make less strict or severe:
   [~ + object] I can't relax the rules for anyone in the class.
3. to enjoy or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.: [no object]
   Come in, sit down and relax.
   [~ + object]
   Maybe the quiet music will relax you.

re•lax•er, n. [countable] See -lax-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•lax  (ri laks′), v.t. 

1. to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax:
   to relax the muscles.
2. to diminish the force of.
3. to slacken or abate, as effort, attention, etc.
4. to make less strict or severe, as rules, discipline, etc.:
   to relax the requirements for a license.
5. to release or bring relief from the effects of tension, anxiety, etc.:
   A short swim always relaxes me.

v.i. 

6. to become less tense, rigid, or firm.
7. to become less strict or severe;
   grow milder.
8. to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation.
9. to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.

• Latin relaxāre to stretch out again, loosen, equivalent. to re- re- + laxāre to loosen, derivative of laxus slack, lax
• Middle English relaxen 1350–1400

re•lax′a•tive, re•lax•a•tory  (ri lak′sə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  re•lax′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 6. loosen, slacken.
• 2. mitigate, weaken, lessen, reduce.
• 4. ease.
• 6. unbend.
• 7. relent, soften.

Antonyms

• 1, 6. tighten, tense.