Meaning & Definition of Wax in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A natural or synthetic substance that is smooth and malleable, often used to make candles, cosmetics, and coatings.

  Example Sentence: She used beeswax to create handmade candles.

• Definition: To increase gradually or to become larger; especially used in reference to the moon's phases.

  Example Sentence: The moon waxes from new to full over the course of two weeks.

• Definition: To apply wax to something, typically to protect or shine it.

  Example Sentence: He decided to wax his car to give it a shiny finish.

• Definition: To make a recording on a wax cylinder.

  Example Sentence: They used to wax records before vinyl became popular.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English 'waxe', from Old English 'weax', related to the German 'Wachs' and Dutch 'was'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• wax on, wax off: A phrase indicating the process of practice to master a skill, made famous by a movie.
• to wax poetic: To express oneself in a poetic or sentimental manner.
• to wax and wane: To increase and decrease in size or strength over time.

Translations

• Spanish: cera

• French: cire

• German: Wachs

• Russian: воск

Related Words

• beeswax: Wax produced by bees, used for making candles and cosmetics.

• paraffin: A waxy substance used in candles and for sealing.

• cerumen: Earwax, a natural substance produced in the ear canal.

Slang Meanings of wax

• Meaning: To wax lyrical

  Example Sentence: He started to wax lyrical about his vacation in Hawaii.

• Meaning: Waxed out

  Example Sentence: After the long party, I feel totally waxed out.