ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wax

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈwæks// UK //wˈæks// wax
  1. 1 substance for candles/polish (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a solid, oily substance that melts easily, used to make candles or to make surfaces shiny.

    a class of organic compounds that are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures; includes beeswax and paraffin.

    Example

    The candle wax dripped onto the tablecloth and left a small mark.

    Example

    The restorer applied a thin layer of microcrystalline wax to protect the antique mahogany from humidity changes.
  2. 2 vinyl records (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Slang Music

    a slang term for a vinyl record or music recorded on a disc.

    a metonymic reference to phonograph records, derived from the historical use of wax cylinders in early recording technology.

    Example

    The DJ played some rare soul tracks on wax that I had never heard before.

    Example

    Collectors often argue that the warmth of a performance captured on wax cannot be replicated by digital formats.
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  1. 3 to polish (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to rub a surface with wax to make it smooth and shiny.

    to treat or coat a surface with wax, typically for the purpose of protection or aesthetic enhancement.

    Example

    He spent the whole afternoon waxing his car until it looked like new.

    Example

    The maintenance crew waxes the gymnasium floor annually to ensure a consistent grip for the athletes.
  2. 4 to remove hair (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to remove hair from the body by using a sticky substance that is pulled off quickly.

    to perform depilation by applying a layer of wax and removing it along with the hair follicles.

    Example

    She decided to get her legs waxed before going on her beach holiday.

    Example

    The salon offers various treatments, including facial threading and waxing for sensitive skin.
    • depilate
  3. 5 to grow or increase (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to grow larger or stronger; often used to describe the moon as it gets fuller.

    to increase in size, quantity, or intensity; specifically used of the moon between its new and full phases.

    Example

    The moon will wax over the next week until it is completely full.

    Example

    As the evening progressed, the speaker began to wax poetic about the beauty of the rugged coastline.
    • wane
  4. 6 made of wax (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    made out of wax.

    composed of or resembling wax in texture or appearance.

    Example

    The museum has several wax figures of famous historical leaders.

    Example

    The artist created a series of wax models to test the lighting before casting the final bronze sculptures.
Etymology 1

From Middle English wax, from Old English weax, from Proto-Germanic wahsą, possibly from Proto-Indo-European woḱ-so-. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Woaks (“wax”), West Frisian waaks (“wax”), Dutch was (“wax”), German Wachs (“wax”), German Low German Wass (“wax”), Luxembourgish Wuess (“wax”), Vilamovian wāhs (“wax”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk voks (“wax”), Faroese vaks (“wax”), Icelandic, Swedish vax (“wax”); and with Lithuanian vaškas (“wax”), Proto-Slavic *voskъ (“wax”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English waxen, from the noun (see above).

Etymology 3

From Middle English waxen, from Old English weaxan (“to wax, grow, be fruitful, increase, become powerful, flourish”), from Proto-West Germanic wahsan, from Proto-Germanic wahsijaną (“to grow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weg- (“to grow, increase”). Cognate with Scots wax (“to grow”), West Frisian waakse (“to greaten”), Low German wassen, Dutch wassen (“to greaten”), German wachsen (“to greaten”), Danish and Norwegian vokse (“to greaten”), Swedish växa (“to greaten”), Icelandic vaxa (“to greaten”), Gothic 𐍅𐌰𐌷𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽 (wahsjan, “to grow”); and with Ancient Greek ἀέξειν (aéxein), Latin auxilium. It is in its turn cognate with augeo. See eke.

Etymology 4

Uncertain; probably from phrases like to wax angry, wax wode, and similar (see Etymology 2, above).

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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