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Etymology
Origin of waxing
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at wax 1, -ing 1
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Vocabulary lists containing waxing
Space Science (Astronomy) - Introductory
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The Moon – Introductory
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The Moon - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
When donors pooled around $750,000 to upgrade the waxing, the team welcomed Yolanda, a custom-built lorry with eight work stations, binders of waxing data, more than 600 skis and a snack table filled with cheese.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
“Fed leaders would be well served to skip opportunities to share their latest musings. The swivel-chair problem, rhetorically waxing and waning with the latest data release, is common and counterproductive,” Warsh said last April.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026
Robyn’s not interested in waxing poetic about society’s expectations of her as a mother.
From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026
When the board was running smooth, I did a couple warm-up ollies before waxing the curb and practicing some grinds.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.