lax

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlaks 

1

a

of the bowels : loose, open

b

: having loose bowels

2

: deficient in firmness : not stringent

lax control

a lax foreman

security has been lax

3

a

: not tense, firm, or rigid : slack

a lax rope

b

: having an open or loose texture

a lax soil

c

: having the constituents spread apart

a lax flower cluster

4

: articulated with the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state (such as the vowel \i\ in contrast with the vowel \ē\)

laxation

lak-ˈsā-shən 

noun

laxly

ˈlaks-lē 

adverb

laxness noun

lax

2 of 2

noun

: lacrosse

Synonyms

Adjective

• careless
• derelict
• disregardful
• lazy
• neglectful
• neglecting
• negligent
• remiss
• slack

Choose the Right Synonym for lax

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness.

negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Examples of lax in a Sentence

Adjective

The university has been lax about enforcing these rules.

lax parents who let their kids stay out as late as they want

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many voters saw President Biden's administration as too lax toward people in the U.S. without legal status. —Steve Inskeep, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025

It's seen as another sign of the more lax regulation the crypto industry might expect from Trump's administration. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

In addition to the encouraging top-line results and commentary, a more lax regulatory business environment under the Trump administration is boosting corporate optimism, Hatzius added. —Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025

But more lax joints can move in different direction more readily and thus leave your ligaments more prone to damage. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin laxus loose — more at slack

Noun

by shortening & alteration (x as symbol for -crosse)

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lax

• axe
• backs
• blacks
• cracks
• fax
• flax
• hacks
• jacks
• knacks
• lacks
• lakhs
• macs

Kids Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks

1

: not firm or tight : loose

2

: not strict

laxly adverb

laxness noun

Medical Definition

lax

adjective

ˈlaks 

1

of the bowels : loose sense 3

2

: having loose bowels