Lax (adjective)
/læks/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Lax describes a situation, rule, or person that is not strict, careful, or serious enough. It often means being too relaxed or loose, which can cause mistakes or problems because things are not controlled well.
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See It in Action
Not strict or severe in rules or control
- •The school was criticized for its lax discipline.
- •Lax security at the airport allowed unauthorized people to enter.
- •The company’s lax policies caused problems with safety.
Not careful or attentive enough
- •He was lax in checking his work and made many errors.
- •The manager was lax about deadlines, so projects were often late.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'lax' like 'loose,' but for rules or attention—things are not tight or strict enough.
- ✓Picture a rope that is not pulled tight; it is loose and can slip or cause trouble.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone doesn't pay close attention and lets small problems grow bigger.
- ✓Sounds like 'lax' → imagine someone relaxing so much that they forget to lock the door.
- ✓Remember a teacher who is too easy with homework rules—students might not work hard because the rules are lax.
- ✓NOT like 'strict' (very tight and controlled), 'lax' is the opposite: relaxed and careless.
- ✓NOT like 'careless' (not paying attention by mistake), 'lax' often means a choice to be not strict enough.
- ✓NOT like 'lenient' (kind and forgiving), 'lax' can be careless or too relaxed, not always kind.
Try Other Words
- •Lenient: not strict, but more kind or forgiving (Use when the relaxed attitude is gentle, not careless)
- •Careless: not paying enough attention or effort (Use when the lack of care causes mistakes)
- •Negligent: failing to take proper care (Use in serious contexts like law or safety)
- •Slack: loose or not tight, also used for not strict or lazy (Use in informal contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) root word 'lax'
- •Etymology: From Latin 'laxus,' meaning loose or slack
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 15th century meaning loose or not tight, later extended to mean not strict or careful
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe rules, behavior, or attention that is too relaxed and causes problems
Reflect & Connect
•Can being lax sometimes be a good thing, or is it always negative? When might it help?
•How do you feel when someone is lax with something important, like safety or rules?
Fill in the blanks
1.The security was lax because they did not ___ the entrance carefully.
2.When rules are lax, people often ___ the limits and cause trouble.
3.Unlike strict teachers, a lax teacher may ___ students more than usual.
4.He was lax about deadlines, so the project was ___ late.
5.The company’s lax attitude toward safety caused many ___.
6.You should not be lax when handling ___ materials or dangerous tools.
7.Because the rules were lax, the event ___ more people than expected.