wax

UK: /ˈwæks/ US: /wæks/ ,(waks)

Inflections of 'wax' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

waxes

v 3rd person singular

waxing

v pres p

waxed

v past

waxed

v past p (All usages)

waxen

v past p (Literary: only senses relating to increasing or growing.)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wax¹ /wæks/   n. [uncountable]

1. Biochemistry, Insects Also called beeswax.  a solid, yellowish substance made by bees when building their honeycomb.
2. Biochemistry any of various similar substances, esp. ones made up of hydrocarbons, fats, or oils:
   a candle made of wax.
3. Physiology a yellowish, waxy secretion in the external auditory canal.

v. [~ + object]

4. to rub, polish, or treat with wax:
   to wax the wooden floors; to wax down our skis.

adj. 

5. relating to, made of, or resembling wax.

Idioms

6. the whole ball of wax, [Slang.]
   • everything of a similar or related nature;
     the whole nine yards.

wax•like, adj. 


wax² /wæks/   v. [no object]

1. to increase, as in amount, size, or intensity.
2. Astronomy (of the moon) to increase gradually in brightness and roundness.Compare wane (def. 2).
3. to become:
   [~ + adj] to wax resentful.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wax¹  (waks), n. 

1. Biochemistry, Insects Also called beeswax. a solid, yellowish, nonglycerine substance allied to fats and oils, secreted by bees, plastic when warm and melting at about 145°F, variously employed in making candles, models, casts, ointments, etc., and used by bees in constructing their honeycomb.
2. Biochemistry any of various similar substances, as spermaceti or the secretions of certain insects and plants. Cf. vegetable wax, wax insect. 
3. any of a group of substances composed of hydrocarbons, alcohols, fatty acids, and esters that are solid at ordinary temperatures.
4. cerumen;
   earwax.
5. a resinous substance used by shoemakers for rubbing thread.
6. See sealing wax. 
7. a person or object suggesting wax, as in manageability or malleability:
   I am helpless wax in your hands.
8. whole ball of wax, [Slang.]
   • the entire or overall plan, concept, action, result, or the like:
     The first ten minutes of the meeting will determine the whole ball of wax.
   • everything of a similar or related nature:
     They sold us skis, boots, bindings, poles—the whole ball of wax.

v.t. 

9. to rub, smear, stiffen, polish, etc., with wax:
   to wax the floor.
10. to fill the crevices of (ornamental marble) with colored material.
11. Informal Terms to make a phonograph recording of.
12. Slang Terms to defeat decisively;
    drub:
    We waxed the competition.

adj. 

13. pertaining to, made of, or resembling wax:
    a wax candle; a wax doll.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English wex, waxe, Old English weax; cognate with Dutch was, German Wachs, Old Norse vax; (verb, verbal) Middle English wexen, derivative of the noun, nominal

wax′a•ble, adj. 
wax′like′, adj. 

wax²  (waks), v.i., waxed;
waxed or (Literary) wax•en;
wax•ing. 

1. to increase in extent, quantity, intensity, power, etc.:
   Discord waxed at an alarming rate.
2. Astronomy (of the moon) to increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full moon. Cf. wane (def. 4).
3. to grow or become:
   He waxed angry at the insinuation.

• bef. 900; Middle English waxen, Old English weaxan; cognate with German wachsen; akin to waist

Synonyms

• 1. extend, grow, lengthen, enlarge, dilate.

wax³  (waks), n. [Chiefly Brit.]

1. British Terms a fit of anger;
   rage.

• perh. special use of wax² 1850–55

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wax / wæks/ noun

1. any of various viscous or solid materials of natural origin: characteristically lustrous, insoluble in water, and having a low softening temperature, they consist largely of esters of fatty acids
2. any of various similar substances, such as paraffin wax or ozocerite, that have a mineral origin and consist largely of hydrocarbons
3. short for beeswax, sealing wax
4. another name for cerumen
5. a resinous preparation used by shoemakers to rub on thread
6. any substance or object that is pliable or easily moulded: he was wax in the hands of the political bosses
7. (modifier) made of or resembling wax: a wax figure

verb

1. (transitive) to coat, polish, etc, with wax

Etymology: Old English weax, related to Old Saxon, Old High German wahs, Old Norse vax

ˈwaxer noun

wax / wæks/ verb (intransitive)

1. to become larger, more powerful, etc
2. (of the moon) to show a gradually increasing portion of illuminated surface, between new moon and full moon
   Compare wane1
3. to become as specified

Etymology: Old English weaxan; related to Old Frisian waxa, Old Saxon, Old High German wahsan, Gothic wahsjan

wax / wæks/ noun

1. a fit of rage or temper: he's in a wax today

Etymology: of obscure origin; perhaps from the phrase to wax angry