Definition

1. Noun:

   • A solid, malleable substance: "wax" refers to any of various natural or synthetic substances that are typically solid at room temperature, soft and moldable when warm, and insoluble in water. Common types include beeswax, paraffin wax, and earwax.

2. Verb:

   • To increase in size or intensity: "wax" means to grow gradually larger, fuller, or stronger. This is most commonly used to describe the phases of the moon.
   • To apply a coating of wax: "wax" means to cover, polish, or treat a surface with a layer of wax.
   • (Archaic) To become: "wax" can mean to pass into a specified state or condition, often used with an adjective (e.g., to wax eloquent).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The candle was made of pure beeswax.
  • She used a special wax to polish the antique furniture.

• Verb (to increase):

  • The moon will wax until it becomes full.
  • His enthusiasm for the project began to wax as he saw the early results.

• Verb (to apply wax):

  • He needs to wax his car to protect the paint.
  • The floor was freshly waxed and very slippery.

• Verb (archaic: to become):

  • The speaker began to wax poetic about the beauty of the landscape.

Advanced Usage

• "to wax and wane": to undergo cycles of increase and decrease.

  • Interest in the topic tends to wax and wane over the decades.

• "on wax": (informal, dated) referring to a phonograph record.

  • They captured that incredible live performance on wax.

Variants and Related Words

• Waxy (adj): having the texture or appearance of wax; pale and smooth.
  • The fruit had a waxy coating.
• Beeswax (n): a natural wax produced by honey bees.
• Earwax (n): the yellowish waxy substance secreted in the ear canal.
• Waxwork (n): a lifelike figure made of wax.

Synonyms

• Noun: grease, polish, cerumen (for earwax).
• Verb (to increase): grow, enlarge, expand, swell.
• Verb (to apply): polish, buff, shine.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Wax lyrical/eloquent/enthusiastic: to become increasingly lyrical, eloquent, or enthusiastic in speech or writing.
  • He waxed lyrical about his favorite film director.

Related Idioms

• Like wax in someone's hands: completely under someone's control or influence; very pliable.
  • The young intern was like wax in the hands of the experienced manager.

Noun

1. any of various substances of either mineral origin or plant or animal origin; they are solid at normal temperatures and insoluble in water

Verb

1. increase in phase
   • the moon is waxing
2. go up or advance
   • Sales were climbing after prices were lowered
3. cover with wax
   • wax the car