What does waxing mean?
Waxing is an English present-participle form with two main uses. As a verb, it means to put wax on something, usually to seal, protect, smooth, or give it a polished finish: she was waxing the table before sanding it. In its older and still familiar adjectival use, waxing describes something that is growing or increasing, especially the illuminated portion of the Moon during the period between new moon and full moon. The word is therefore closely associated with the familiar contrast of waxing and waning, although waxing can describe any steady increase rather than a celestial cycle. Its use is standard in both British and American English. Outside contexts involving wax, applying a coating, or the Moon, the word can sound literary or metaphorical, as when a critic describes an actor’s waxing reputation. The form is less often used independently as a noun, and a plural is not normally needed.
To apply wax to a surface, especially in order to seal, protect, smooth, or polish it.
"The conservator carefully waxed the old wooden surface."
The -ing form is commonly used in ongoing actions: “The floor is being waxed.”
Growing or increasing, especially of the illuminated portion of the moon.
"We could see a waxing crescent low on the horizon."
This use is especially associated with the moon and the familiar phrase “waxing and waning.”
From new moon to full moon, the Moon is literally waxing: its bright portion is growing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of waxing
Waxing is the present-participle form of the English verb wax. Its sense of growing or increasing comes from Old English waxan, meaning “to grow” or “to increase,” an inherited Germanic verb. The separate sense of applying wax developed through the use of the English noun wax, from Old English wæx, for the substance used to coat or preserve materials.
How waxing is actually used
The word is standard in British and American English. Its use for growth or prominence can sound literary or metaphorical outside discussions of the moon, while the sense involving the application of wax is usually practical or technical.
Easily confused with waxing
Waking means becoming or being awake, whereas waxing can mean increasing, especially as a moon phase, or applying wax to a surface.