relaxation

relaxation — noun

1. a condition in which you are calm and free from worry, with your body and mind n

1.名詞B1
釋義

a condition in which you are calm and free from worry, with your body and mind no longer under strain

例句

Anya felt a deep sense of relaxation after her yoga class.

deep sense of + relaxation collocation

The warm bath helped Hiro achieve complete relaxation before bed.

achieve + complete relaxation

同義詞
  • calm

    focuses more on the absence of agitation or noise; can describe a person's state during stress rather than after release

  • peace

    a broader state of quiet and harmony, often with external or spiritual connotations; 'peace of mind'

  • ease

    freedom from difficulty or discomfort; less intense than relaxation and more about comfort than unwinding

反義詞
  • tension

    the opposite physical and mental state of tightness and strain

  • stress

    pressure or worry that prevents a relaxed state

用法筆記

Uncountable noun — cannot be used in the plural for this meaning. Common in the phrases 'a sense of relaxation', 'a state of relaxation', and 'a feeling of relaxation'.

常見錯誤

❌My relaxation is to read a book.
✅Reading a book helps me relax.
💡For referring to an activity, use the verb 'relax' or the countable sense 2 ('leisure activity'). This sense describes the feeling, not the activity that causes it.

2. something enjoyable that you choose to do during your free time to rest and stop

2.名詞B1
釋義

something enjoyable that you choose to do during your free time to rest and stop worrying

例句

Sewing is a quiet form of relaxation that Noor enjoys after work.

form of + relaxation

Piotr finds that painting is a wonderful form of creative relaxation.

creative relaxation

同義詞
  • recreation

    more active or organised activities; often involves games or sports rather than quiet pastimes

  • leisure

    refers to free time itself rather than the activity; 'leisure activities' not 'a leisure'

  • hobby

    a regular activity done for pleasure in one's spare time, often involving skill or learning

反義詞
  • work

    the main activity that occupies one's time and energy, opposite of leisure

用法筆記

Can be countable ('His favourite relaxations are reading and hiking') or uncountable ('I need some relaxation'). The countable form names a specific activity; the uncountable form refers to the general concept of unwinding through leisure.

常見錯誤

❌I need some relaxations after work.
✅I need some relaxation after work.
💡Even when referring to activities, 'relaxation' is usually uncountable. The countable plural 'relaxations' is rare and very formal.

3. the process of reducing how strict an official rule, law, or system of control i

3.名詞B2
釋義

the process of reducing how strict an official rule, law, or system of control is, making it easier to follow

例句

The government announced a relaxation of travel rules for vaccinated visitors.

relaxation of + travel rules

Companies welcomed the relaxation of safety rules in the old factory.

同義詞
  • easing

    more gradual and less official in tone; common in economics ('easing of monetary policy')

  • loosening

    less formal and more direct; suggests physical or structural flexibility

  • reduction

    general decrease in amount or degree; not specific to rules or restrictions

反義詞
  • tightening

    the opposite action of making rules stricter or more strictly enforced

  • restriction

    the act of limiting or controlling, rather than loosening control

用法筆記

Always uncountable. Typically followed by 'of' and the rule or restriction being loosened. Common in formal or journalistic contexts about laws, regulations, trade policies, and institutional rules. Not used for personal or informal situations.

常見錯誤

❌The relaxation of the economy worried investors.
✅The relaxation of banking rules worried investors.
💡'Relaxation of' is used for rules, laws, or restrictions, not for general conditions like the economy itself.