waxworks

American  

[waks-wurks] / ˈwæksˌwɜrks /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

plural

waxworks

1. an exhibition of or a museum for displaying wax figures, ornaments, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of waxworks

First recorded in 1690–1700; wax ¹ + work ( def. ) + -s ³ ( def. )

Example Sentences

At Barnum’s American Museum in New York City, visitors could see America’s first aquarium, a menagerie of exotic animals, performances by magicians and ventriloquists, and waxworks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

When you walk through a crowd of strangers it’s next door to impossible not to imagine that they’re all waxworks, but probably they’re thinking just the same about you.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2025

The waxworks are horror-show images of the consequences of fear of decline.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

That in turn inspired a Halloween movie Night of the Daniels - in which the waxworks of Daniel in the museum come to life and terrorise the town.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2023

Hugo and I caught each other's eye and for one moment we were alone in a roomful of waxworks.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell