paraffin

American  

[par-uh-fin] / ˈpær ə fɪn /

noun

1. a white or colorless, tasteless, odorless, water-insoluble, solid substance not easily acted upon by reagents, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons chiefly of the alkane series, obtained from crude petroleum: used in candles, for forming preservative coatings and seals, for waterproofing paper, etc.

2. Chemistry.

   1. any member of the alkane series.

   2. one of the higher members of the alkane series, solid at ordinary temperatures, having a boiling point above 300°C, which largely constitutes the commercial form of this substance.

3. Also called paraffin oil.  British. kerosene.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or impregnate with paraffin.

paraffin British  

/ ˈpærəfɪn, ˈpærəˌfiːn /

noun

1. Also called: paraffin oil.   kerosene.  a liquid mixture consisting mainly of alkane hydrocarbons with boiling points in the range 150°–300°C, used as an aircraft fuel, in domestic heaters, and as a solvent

2. another name for alkane

3. See paraffin wax

4. See liquid paraffin

---

verb

1. to treat with paraffin or paraffin wax

paraffin Scientific  

/ păr′ə-fĭn /

1. A waxy, white or colorless solid mixture of hydrocarbons made from petroleum and used to make candles, wax paper, lubricants, and waterproof coatings.

2. Also called paraffin wax

3. See alkane

---

Etymology

Origin of paraffin

1830–40; < German < Latin par ( um ) barely + aff ( īnis ) connected + -in ²; so called from its slight affinity for other substances; see affinity

Example Sentences

Paraffin and asphalt-like substances may have clogged wells that pump thick crude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

A: Paraffin, the wax from which many candles are made, is derived from petroleum.

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

It's no surprise it has attracted monikers such as "Kenya Paraffin and Candles Limited".

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2022

Paraffin is so scarce that Donegal peasants now use rushlights, make candles from mutton fat.

From Time Magazine Archive

Paraffin would not attract the heat of the sun, and it is possible that this will allow us to carry the method of Mr. Jones, the best method to date, still farther south.

From Northern Nut Growers Association, Report Of The Proceedings At The Tenth Annual Meeting. Battle Creek, Michigan, December 9 and 10, 1919 by Northern Nut Growers Association