waxing
B1Neutral to informal for beauty treatment; literary for 'growing' sense.
Definition
Meaning
The process of applying wax, especially to remove hair from the skin.
The act or process of applying a coating of wax; a gradual increase or growth (archaic/poetic).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary modern meaning relates to cosmetic hair removal. The 'growing/increasing' sense (e.g., 'waxing moon') is now largely restricted to poetic or fixed phrases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use identically for hair removal. 'Bikini wax' is common in both, but 'Brazilian wax' might be slightly more frequent in US beauty marketing.
Connotations
Strongly associated with beauty salons and personal grooming in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both regions for the cosmetic procedure.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[undergo/have/get] a waxing[offer/provide] waxing[specialise in] waxingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “waxing lyrical/poetic (speaking enthusiastically)”
- “wax and wane (increase and decrease)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In the context of beauty salon services and product sales.
Academic
Rare; might appear in cultural studies or history of beauty practices.
Everyday
Common when discussing personal grooming and beauty treatments.
Technical
In dermatology or cosmetology referring to a specific hair removal method.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is waxing her legs before her holiday.
- The salon waxes male clients as well.
American English
- I need to wax my eyebrows this weekend.
- They waxed her entire back in one session.
adjective
British English
- The waxing procedure was surprisingly quick.
- She bought a home waxing kit.
American English
- A waxing appointment is cheaper on Tuesdays.
- He owns a popular waxing studio downtown.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She doesn't like waxing. It hurts.
- My sister has a waxing appointment.
- I prefer waxing to shaving because the results last longer.
- How much does a full leg waxing cost at your salon?
- Having undergone a full body waxing for the competition, her skin was perfectly smooth.
- The popularity of male waxing services has increased significantly.
- The aesthetician expertly performed a Brazilian waxing, minimising discomfort through her technique.
- Cultural attitudes towards body hair have driven the global waxing industry to new heights.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'waxing' your legs like waxing a car – applying something to remove unwanted stuff (hair vs dirt).
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR REMOVAL IS CLEANING / SMOOTHING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'вощение' (polishing with wax). The beauty treatment is 'депиляция воском'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'waxing' to mean 'polishing with wax' in everyday contexts (that's 'waxing' a floor/car, but less common).
- Confusing 'waxing' (growing) with 'waning' (shrinking) for the moon.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'waxing' LEAST likely to be used in modern English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While historically more associated with female grooming, male waxing (chest, back) is now very common.
Both remove hair. Waxing uses resin-based wax, while sugaring uses a paste of sugar, lemon, and water. Sugaring is often touted as less painful.
Yes, but it's less common. It can mean applying a protective wax coat (e.g., 'waxing a jacket'), or it can be the present participle of the verb 'wax' meaning to grow/increase (e.g., 'a waxing moon', 'waxing eloquent').
For hair removal, it's a standard, neutral term used in both casual and professional (beauty industry) contexts. The 'growing' sense is literary.