waxwork

American  

[waks-wurk] / ˈwæksˌwɜrk /

noun

1. a figure, ornament, or other object made of wax, or especially the life-size effigy of a person.

2. the bittersweet, Celastrus scandens.

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waxwork British  

/ ˈwæksˌwɜːk /

noun

1. an object reproduced in wax, esp as an ornament

2. a life-size lifelike figure, esp of a famous person, reproduced in wax

3. (plural; functioning as singular or plural) a museum or exhibition of wax figures or objects

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Other Word Forms

• waxworker
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of waxwork

First recorded in 1690–1700; wax ¹ + work

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

waxwork

Later, in England, Little gains fame as the waxwork impresario Madame Tussaud.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

The designer of a second smaller sculpture has also been announced as Karen Newman, who once made waxwork models at Madame Tussauds, including Prince Philip.

From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2026

The museum's management also said there had been negative comments on social media about the waxwork.

From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2023

Museum director Yves Delhommeau told the AFP news agency his staff planned to work "all night" to bring the waxwork in line with "fans' expectations".

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2023

Processions, meetings, military parades, lectures, waxwork displays, film shows, telescreen programs all had to be organized; stands had to be erected, effigies built, slogans coined, songs written, rumors circulated, photographs faked.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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