waxing

[ wak-sing ]

/ ˈwæk sɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR waxing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of applying wax, as in polishing or filling.

the manufacturing of a phonograph record.

the act or technique of applying a depilatory wax to the body for removing hair.

Nearby words

waxcloth, waxed paper, waxen, waxer, waxeye, waxing, waxing moon, waxleaf privet, waxplant, waxwing, waxwork

Origin of waxing

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at wax¹, -ing¹

Related forms

non·wax·ing, adjective

Definition for waxing (2 of 3)

wax

[ waks ]

/ wæks /

noun

Also called beeswax. a solid, yellowish, nonglycerine substance allied to fats and oils, secreted by bees, plastic when warm and melting at about 145°F, variously employed in making candles, models, casts, ointments, etc., and used by bees in constructing their honeycomb.

any of various similar substances, as spermaceti or the secretions of certain insects and plants.Compare vegetable wax, wax insect.

any of a group of substances composed of hydrocarbons, alcohols, fatty acids, and esters that are solid at ordinary temperatures.

cerumen; earwax.

a resinous substance used by shoemakers for rubbing thread.

sealing wax.

a person or object suggesting wax, as in manageability or malleability: I am helpless wax in your hands.

verb (used with object)

to rub, smear, stiffen, polish, etc., with wax: to wax the floor.

to fill the crevices of (ornamental marble) with colored material.

bikini wax.

Informal. to make a phonograph recording of.

Slang. to defeat decisively; drub: We waxed the competition.

adjective

pertaining to, made of, or resembling wax: a wax candle; a wax doll.

Origin of wax

before 900; (noun) Middle English wex, waxe, Old English weax; cognate with Dutch was, German Wachs, Old Norse vax; (v.) Middle English wexen, derivative of the noun

Related forms

wax·a·ble, adjectivewax·like, adjective

Definition for waxing (3 of 3)

wax

[ 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

before 900; Middle English waxen, Old English weaxan; cognate with German wachsen; akin to waist

SYNONYMS FOR wax

1 extend, grow, lengthen, enlarge, dilate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wax ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confused

wane wax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for waxing

Half of our music and all of our dancing is just about worshipping, praising, staring at and waxing poetic about the human ass.
Kim Kardashian Bares Her Shiny, Bounteous Butt, Breaks the Internet|Marlow Stern|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've seen what happens at too many companies who decide that their sales team is waxing a little too fat on all those commissions.
The Economics of Puppy Management|Megan McArdle|February 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Waxing (and Waning): Enthusiasm is up overall among Republicans and down among Democratic voters in 2012.
Hurricane Sandy, Women, Momentum & More Keys to a Romney Victory|Mark McKinnon|October 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In London, the Strip: Ministry of Waxing reports that one out of every three male customers requests a “Boyzilian.”
Why 'Manscaping' Isn't Just for Porn Stars Anymore|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Rose is 69 and was waxing enthusiastic about interviewing Ehud Barak and Umberto Eco.
CBS's Morning-Show Gamble With Charlie Rose and Gayle King|Howard Kurtz|November 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He looked at him with a scrutinising eye, and it was but too plain that his present garments were daily waxing more deplorable.
Guy Mannering, or The Astrologer, Complete, Illustrated|Sir Walter Scott
Where there is no growth, decay has already set in; if there be no waxing of the powers, they have already begun to wane.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. Peter|J. Rawson Lumby
But the friar did not understand her, and waxing angry, anathematized her for a witch, and bade her begone.
The Bible in Spain|George Borrow
Joyce shot one swift glance at him and saw that he was on the verge of waxing sentimental.
The Highgrader|William MacLeod Raine
And after that the earl would say no more on the matter, waxing wroth if Olaf would try to persuade him.
King Olaf's Kinsman|Charles Whistler

British Dictionary definitions for waxing (1 of 3)

wax

/ (wæks) /

noun

any of various viscous or solid materials of natural origin: characteristically lustrous, insoluble in water, and having a low softening temperature, they consist largely of esters of fatty acids

any of various similar substances, such as paraffin wax or ozocerite, that have a mineral origin and consist largely of hydrocarbons

short for beeswax, sealing wax

physiol another name for cerumen

a resinous preparation used by shoemakers to rub on thread

bone wax a mixture of wax, oil, and carbolic acid applied to the cut surface of a bone to prevent bleeding

any substance or object that is pliable or easily mouldedhe was wax in the hands of the political bosses

(modifier) made of or resembling waxa wax figure

the act or an instance of removing body hair by coating it with warm wax, applying a strip of fabric, and then removing the fabric sharply, thereby plucking the hairs out by their roots

verb

(tr) to coat, polish, etc, with wax

to remove (body hair) by means of a wax treatment

Derived Forms

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 waxing (2 of 3)

wax

/ (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 waxing (3 of 3)

wax

/ (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

Medicine definitions for waxing (1 of 2)

waxing

[ wăk′sĭng ]

n.

The shaping of the contours of a trial denture or crown in wax prior to its casting in metal.

Medicine definitions for waxing (2 of 2)

wax

[ wăks ]

n.

Any of various natural, oily or greasy heat-sensitive substances, consisting of hydrocarbons or esters of fatty acids that are insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents.

Cerumen.

A solid plastic or pliable liquid substance, such as paraffin, originating from petroleum and found in rock layers and often used in medicinal preparations.

Science definitions for waxing

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.

Idioms and Phrases with waxing

wax

In addition to the idiom beginning with wax

wax and wane

also see:

whole ball of wax

waxing

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of waxing

Related forms

Definition for waxing (2 of 3)

wax

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

Origin of wax

Related forms

Definition for waxing (3 of 3)

wax

verb (used without object), waxed; waxed or (Literary) wax·en; wax·ing.

Origin of wax

SYNONYMS FOR wax

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for waxing

British Dictionary definitions for waxing (1 of 3)

wax

noun

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for wax

British Dictionary definitions for waxing (2 of 3)

wax

verb (intr)

Word Origin for wax

British Dictionary definitions for waxing (3 of 3)

wax

noun

Word Origin for wax

Medicine definitions for waxing (1 of 2)

waxing

n.

Medicine definitions for waxing (2 of 2)

wax

n.

Science definitions for waxing

wax

Idioms and Phrases with waxing

wax