Dictionary.com

wax

1
[ waks ]
/ wæks /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: wax / waxen / waxing / waxlike on Thesaurus.com

noun
verb (used with object)
adjective
pertaining to, made of, or resembling wax: a wax candle; a wax doll.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Idioms about wax

    whole ball of wax, Slang.
    1. the entire or overall plan, concept, action, result, or the like: The first ten minutes of the meeting will determine the whole ball of wax.
    2. everything of a similar or related nature: They sold us skis, boots, bindings, poles—the whole ball of wax.

Origin of wax

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English noun wax(e), wex(e), Old English weax, wex; cognate with Dutch was, German Wachs, Old Norse vax; the verb is derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM wax

wax·a·ble, adjectivewaxlike, adjective

Other definitions for wax (2 of 3)

wax2
[ waks ]
/ wæks /

verb (used without object), waxed; waxed or (Literary) wax·en; wax·ing.
to increase in extent, quantity, intensity, power, etc.: Discord waxed at an alarming rate.
(of the moon) to increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full moon.Compare wane (def. 4).
to grow or become: He waxed angry at the insinuation.

Origin of wax

2
First recorded before 900; Middle English waxen, wax(e), waxien, Old English weaxan, weacsan, weahsan; cognate with German wachsen; akin to waist

Other definitions for wax (3 of 3)

wax3
[ waks ]
/ wæks /

noun Chiefly British.
a fit of anger; rage.

Origin of wax

3
First recorded in 1850–55; perhaps special use of wax2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wax (1 of 3)

wax1
/ (wæks) /

noun
verb
(tr) to coat, polish, etc, with wax
to remove (body hair) by means of a wax treatment

Derived forms of wax

waxer, nounwaxlike, adjective

Word Origin for wax

Old English weax, related to Old Saxon, Old High German wahs, Old Norse vax

British Dictionary definitions for wax (2 of 3)

wax2
/ (wæks) /

verb (intr)
to become larger, more powerful, etc
(of the moon) to show a gradually increasing portion of illuminated surface, between new moon and full moonCompare wane (def. 1)
archaic to become as specifiedthe time waxed late

Word Origin for wax

Old English weaxan; related to Old Frisian waxa, Old Saxon, Old High German wahsan, Gothic wahsjan

British Dictionary definitions for wax (3 of 3)

wax3
/ (wæks) /

noun
British informal, old-fashioned a fit of rage or temperhe's in a wax today

Word Origin for wax

of obscure origin; perhaps from the phrase to wax angry
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

Scientific definitions for wax

wax
[ wăks ]

Any of various solid, usually yellow substances that melt or soften easily when heated. They are similar to fats, but are less greasy and more brittle. Naturally occurring animal and plant waxes are esters of saturated fatty acids and alcohols of high molecular weight, including sterols. Waxes are also manufactured synthetically from petroleum, and are used to make polishers, lubricants, coatings, waterproofing, crayons, candles, and many other products.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with wax

wax

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK