waxy

¹ American  

[wak-see] / ˈwæk si /

adjective

waxier, comparative waxiest superlative

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, comparative waxiest superlative

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

Derived Forms

• waxiness
  noun
• waxily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

• waxier
  comparative
• waxiest
  superlative

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

Croda was founded in 1925 when George Crowe and Henry Dawe began producing lanolin, a waxy substance made from sheep's wool.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025

Of course, I'll never turn down a maraschino cherry, with its waxy, artificial essence, a bright spot on top of any milkshake or sundae.

From Salon • May 6, 2025

For example, drought prompts plants to thicken the waxy cuticle layer on leaf surfaces.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

But you can use that waxy bag or those little plastic bags if you have pets.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024

The skin on his lower face had regrown, but it was thin and waxy, as if someone had taken sandpaper and rubbed it to the point of transparency.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• glistening
• lustrous