lax
/læks/
Group 5Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful; negligent GRE
Example in Context
Regulators were criticized for their lax oversight of the banking sector in the years leading up to the financial collapse.
Synonyms
looseslacklenient
Etymology
From Latin meaning 'loose', suggesting a lack of strictness.
- laxus (Latin) — loose
Memory Aid
😴Sounds like “lax”
Imagine a lazy cat lounging around, completely LAX about everything!
Visual Association
😌A sloth hanging lazily from a tree branch, showing no urgency or care.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “lax” mean on the GRE?
lax (adjective) means “Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful; negligent”. Regulators were criticized for their lax oversight of the banking sector in the years leading up to the financial collapse.
How to remember “lax” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “lax” sounds like “lax”. Imagine a lazy cat lounging around, completely LAX about everything!
What are synonyms for “lax”?
Common synonyms: loose, slack, lenient.