waxy

¹ American  

[wak-see] / ˈwæk si /

adjective

waxier, waxiest

1. resembling wax in appearance or characteristics.

   His face had a waxy shine.

2. abounding in, covered with, or made of wax.

   Be careful! The floor is waxy.

3. pliable, yielding, or impressionable.

   a waxy personality.

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waxy ² American  

[wak-see] / ˈwæk si /

adjective

Chiefly British.

waxier, waxiest

1. angry.

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waxy ¹ British  

/ ˈwæksɪ /

adjective

1. resembling wax in colour, appearance, or texture

2. made of, covered with, or abounding in wax

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waxy ² British  

/ ˈwæksɪ /

adjective

1. informal bad-tempered or irritable; angry

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Other Word Forms

• waxily adverb
• waxiness noun

Etymology

Origin of waxy¹

First recorded in 1545–55; wax ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of waxy²

First recorded in 1850–55; wax ³ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

He’s extremely spiky—all good pineapples are—and his leaves are waxy and bright green.

From Literature

The cuticular hydrocarbons have another function: they form a waxy barrier that prevents the beetle from drying out.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a combo of tater tots, bad pizza, Salisbury steak, waxy red apples, and spoiled milk.

From Literature

I’ll load a basket with waxy yellow potatoes still matte with soil, dark cherry preserves, that last jar of golden pickled beets.

From Salon

They had a bouncy, waxy quality to them, almost marshmallow-like, but without any sort of discernible flavor.

From Salon

Related Words

• glistening
• lustrous