sax

[ saks ]

/ sæks /

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noun Informal.

saxophone.

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Origin of sax

By shortening

Words nearby sax

saw-toothed, sawtooth roof, saw-whet owl, saw-wort, sawyer, sax, saxatile, Saxe, Saxe-Altenburg, saxe blue, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

Other definitions for sax (2 of 3)

sax²

[ saks ]

/ sæks /

noun

a short, single-edged sword of ancient Scandinavia.

Origin of sax

before 900; Middle English sexe,Old English seax, sæx; cognate with Old Norse sax (Swedish, Danish sax scissors). See saw¹

Other definitions for sax (3 of 3)

Sax.

abbreviation

Saxon.

Saxony.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sax in a sentence

The sax player himself is the film’s main interviewee, but he’s flanked by music critics who point out all his shortcomings.
I feel weird about Dear Evan Hansen|Alissa Wilkinson|September 23, 2021|Vox
“When you’re walking your dog, you’re going for a run or you’re on a bicycle, these are really not risky situations for either you or the people who you might transiently pass,” Sax says.
Should I wear a mask outside? Experts weigh in on scenarios.|Allyson Chiu|April 22, 2021|Washington Post
Although he and Hillary Clinton appeared reasonably at ease moving to songs such as “It Had to Be You,” the president was most in his element holding a sax.
Not all presidents’ dance skills are created equal|Bonnie Berkowitz, Joanne Lee|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
“People want to know that you are who you say you are, and that you can do what you say you can do,” said Sax.
Deep Dive: How companies and their employees are facing the future of work|Digiday|September 1, 2020|Digiday

Three days after that, the author of the original Rollins piece published a defense of his skewering of the sax icon.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here the sax legend offered observations “in his own words” on his life and times.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Cosby looked up, he saw that Sonny Stitt, the famed alto sax player, had joined the bandstand.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius|Mark Whitaker|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like some sinuous sax, we first hear the thoughts of Obersturmfuhrer Angelus (Golo) Thomsen.
How Hitch & Amis Discovered Evil In My House|Peter Foges|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And much of his most inspired playing, in his final years, came in the context of sax-drum duets.
What if Jazz Giant John Coltrane Had Lived?|Ted Gioia|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've seen five lairds o' Pettybaw, sax placed meenisters, an' seeven doctors.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
Terrible was the clang of the strong sword Ecke-sax on the helmets of the Nibelungs.
Theodoric the Goth|Thomas Hodgkin
He's as gleg as M'Keachen's elshin, that ran through sax plies o' bend-leather into the king's heel.
The Proverbs of Scotland|Alexander Hislop
Troth, I am no the same man noo that I was sax-and-forty years agane, and sorry I am to say it.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
Where will ye find the Small Scotch that's fu' sax inches in height?
The Haunts of Old Cockaigne|Alex Thompson

British Dictionary definitions for sax (1 of 2)

sax¹

/ (sæks) /

noun

a tool resembling a small axe, used for cutting roofing slate

Word Origin for sax

Old English seax knife; related to Old Saxon sahs, Old Norse sax

British Dictionary definitions for sax (2 of 2)

sax²

/ (sæks) /

noun

informal short for saxophone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012