wax
waks
Wax (noun) means a soft, oily solid substance, such as beeswax or paraffin, used for candles, polish, and other purposes. Example: “Wax dripped slowly down the side of the candle and onto the table.”
noun
1
A soft, oily solid substance, such as beeswax or paraffin, used for candles, polish, and other purposes.
"Wax dripped slowly down the side of the candle and onto the table."
"The cheese was sealed in red wax to keep it fresh."
"She melted the wax to make homemade candles."
verb
1
To coat or polish something with wax.
"Every spring, we wax the wooden floor so it stays shiny."
"She waxed her skis before heading up the mountain."
"He waxed the car until it gleamed."
2
To remove hair by applying and pulling off a layer of wax.
"Many people wax their legs at a salon every few weeks."
"He decided to wax his eyebrows before the wedding."
"She got her legs waxed before the trip."
3
Of the moon, to appear larger each night, building toward a full moon.
"When the moon waxes, the evenings get a little brighter."
"We watched the crescent wax over the following nights until it was nearly full."
"The moon waxed steadily over the next two weeks."
4
To become or grow into a specified state, especially in the phrase "wax and wane."
"The popularity of the band waxes and wanes with each new album."
"Her patience seemed to wax and wane as the afternoon dragged on."
"His enthusiasm for the project waxed and waned over the years."
How to use wax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe soft material used in candles and polish, or the verb meaning to grow or increase (especially of the moon).
Common mistake
The verb sense "to wax" (grow, increase) is mostly kept alive today in the fixed phrase "wax and wane" — it sounds old-fashioned used alone.
Common pairings
wax and wane
wax poetic
wax the car
candle wax
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Word forms
- Plural
- waxes
- Third person singular
- waxes
- Past tense
- waxed, wox, wex, waxen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ dripped slowly down the side of the candle and onto the table.
Etymology
From Old English weax, an ancient Germanic word for the substance made by bees.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wax” mean?
The word “wax” means a soft, oily solid substance, such as beeswax or paraffin, used for candles, polish, and other purposes. In plain terms, the soft material used in candles and polish, or the verb meaning to grow or increase (especially of the moon).
How do you pronounce “wax”?
“Wax” is pronounced waks (/wæks/ in IPA).
How do you use “wax” in a sentence?
Here is “wax” used in a sentence: “She melted the wax to make homemade candles.”
What part of speech is “wax”?
Depending on how it is used, “wax” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wax” come from?
The word “wax” comes from Old English. From Old English weax, an ancient Germanic word for the substance made by bees.
Is “wax” a common word?
“Wax” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “wax” have?
“Wax” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, oily solid substance, such as beeswax or paraffin, used for candles, polish, and other purposes.
What is the difference between wax and wane?
When the moon waxes, it appears larger each night, building toward a full moon; when it wanes, it appears smaller, moving toward a new moon. In short, 'wax' means to grow and 'wane' means to shrink.
What is the difference between waxing and shaving?
Waxing removes hair by applying and pulling off a layer of wax, taking the hair out from the root. Shaving cuts hair at the skin's surface with a blade, so waxing results usually last longer.
What is the difference between beeswax and paraffin wax?
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by bees, while paraffin wax is refined from petroleum. Both are soft, oily solids used for candles, polish, and similar purposes, but one is natural and the other is derived from crude oil.
What is the difference between wax and polish?
'Polish' is a general term for a substance or action that cleans and adds shine, while 'wax' is a specific oily solid applied to coat and protect a surface, which also adds shine. Car wax, for example, is a protective product you buff onto paintwork.
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