Meaning of lax in English

1. Pronunciation

   /læks/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce lax in British English, in context ▾
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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

   • negligent
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

   • weak
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

   • permissive
4. 4. emptying easily or excessively

   Examples

   • « loose bowels »

   Synonyms

   • unconstipated
   • regular

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

   • tense
6. 2. not taut or rigid

   Examples

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

   Synonyms

   • drooping
   • droopy
   • sagging
   • floppy
   • loose
   • slack
   • loose-jointed
   • relaxed
   • tensionless

   Antonyms

   • tense

See also

• loose