noun
paraffin
PAR-uh-fihn
Paraffin (noun) means a waxy or oily substance derived from petroleum, used as fuel, in candles, or for waterproofing. Example: “The lamp burned paraffin oil for light.”
noun
1
A waxy or oily substance derived from petroleum, used as fuel, in candles, or for waterproofing.
"The lamp burned paraffin oil for light."
"The candle was made from paraffin wax."
How to use paraffin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA petroleum-derived wax or oil, used in candles, fuel, and waterproofing.
UK vs US
In British English, "paraffin" often refers to what Americans call "kerosene."
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Word forms
- Plural
- paraffins
- Third person singular
- paraffins
- Past tense
- paraffined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lamp burned _____ oil for light.
Etymology
From Latin parum ("too little") + affinis ("related"), coined to describe the substance's low chemical reactivity — literally "little affinity."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “paraffin” mean?
The word “paraffin” means a waxy or oily substance derived from petroleum, used as fuel, in candles, or for waterproofing. In plain terms, a petroleum-derived wax or oil, used in candles, fuel, and waterproofing.
How do you pronounce “paraffin”?
“Paraffin” is pronounced PAR-uh-fihn (/ˈpɛɹ.ə.fɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “paraffin” in a sentence?
Here is “paraffin” used in a sentence: “The lamp burned paraffin oil for light.”
What part of speech is “paraffin”?
“Paraffin” is a noun.
Where does the word “paraffin” come from?
The word “paraffin” comes from Latin. From Latin parum ("too little") + affinis ("related"), coined to describe the substance's low chemical reactivity — literally "little affinity.".
