Meaning of lax in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /læks/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    lax

    Definitions

    1. lacking in rigor or strictness

    Examples

    • « such lax and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable »
    • « lax in attending classes »
    • « slack in maintaining discipline »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. lacking in strength or firmness or resilience

    Examples

    • « flaccid muscles »
    • « took his lax hand in hers »
    • « gave a limp handshake »
    • « a limp gesture as if waving away all desire to know G.K.Chesterton »
    • « a slack grip »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. tolerant or lenient

    Examples

    • « indulgent parents risk spoiling their children »
    • « procedures are lax and discipline is weak »
    • « too soft on the children »

    Synonyms

  4. 4. emptying easily or excessively

    Examples

    • « loose bowels »

    Synonyms

  5. Qualitative Adjective

    lax

    Etymology

    late Middle English (in the sense ‘loose’, said of the bowels): from Latin laxus

    Definitions

    1. pronounced with muscles relatively relaxed (e.g., the vowel sound in `bet')

    Antonyms

  6. 2. not taut or rigid

    Examples

    • « not stretched or held tight »
    • « a lax rope »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « Doing nothing while the middle class is hurting. That's not leadership. Loose regulations and lax enforcement. That's not leadership. That's abandoning our middle class. »
    Kamala Harris

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