lax

Definitions

The pure root used directly (Latin laxus, loose/slack). A slack rope grips nothing firmly, so lax discipline, lax security, and lax standards are 'loose where they should be tight.' It is mildly negative — being lax means letting things slide, not relaxing in a healthy way.

Common Collocations

• 1.lax security松散的安保
• 2.lax discipline松懈的纪律
• 3.lax standards松弛的标准
• 4.lax enforcement执法不严

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Lax security at the airport allowed the man to slip through.

• 2.

  The company was fined for lax safety standards.

• 3.

  Teachers complained that discipline had become too lax.

Easily Confused

lax vs relaxed — both mean 'loose,' but relaxed is positive (calm, at ease) while lax is negative (careless, not strict enough). A relaxed manager is pleasant to work for; a lax manager lets standards slip.

Synonym Comparison