dewaxed
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈwæksd/
KK: /dɪˈwæksd/
adjective
Definition
Describes something that has had wax removed from it through a specific process.
Example
The dewaxed wood was ready for painting.
Conversation
Have you seen my new candle?
Yeah, it smells amazing! Is it dewaxed?
It is! I wanted something that burns cleaner.
Good choice! I love dewaxed candles for that reason.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
refined
purified
cleansed
Antonyms
impure
dirty
contaminated
verb
Definition
To remove wax from something, often used in the context of cleaning or preparing a surface.
Example
The furniture was dewaxed before applying the new finish.
Tense Forms
Past: dewaxed
Past Participle: dewaxed
Conversation
Did you finish that project you were working on?
Yeah, I dewaxed the old furniture for the restoration.
That's awesome! How did it turn out?
Root Explanation
Dewaxed → It is formed from "de-" (meaning removal) and "wax" (from Old English "weax", meaning a substance used for coating or sealing). The suffix "-ed" indicates a past action. Thus, "dewaxed" means having had wax removed from something.
Memory Tip
Think of 'removing' ('de-') a 'substance used for coating' ('wax') — that's why dewaxed means something that has had its wax taken off.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.