Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

wave|band /we I vbænd/ (wavebands ) N‑COUNT A waveband is a group of radio waves of similar length which are used for particular types of radio communication.

wave|length /we I vleŋθ/ (wavelengths )

1 N‑COUNT A wavelength is the distance between a part of a wave of energy such as light or sound and the next similar part. □ [+ of ] Sunlight consists of different wavelengths of radiation.

2 N‑COUNT A wavelength is the size of radio wave which a particular radio station uses to broadcast its programmes. □ [+ of ] She found the wavelength of their broadcasts, and left the radio tuned to their station.

3 PHRASE If two people are on the same wavelength , they find it easy to understand each other and they tend to agree, because they share similar interests or opinions. □  It's great to work with people who are on the same wavelength.

wave|let /we I vlət/ (wavelets ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Wavelets are small waves on the surface of a sea or lake. [LITERARY ]

wa|ver /we I və ^r / (wavers , wavering , wavered )

1 VERB If you waver , you cannot decide about something or you consider changing your mind about something. □ [V ] Some military commanders wavered over whether to support the coup. □ [V ] Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.

2 VERB If something wavers , it shakes with very slight movements or changes. □ [V ] The shadows of the dancers wavered continually.

wavy /we I vi/ (wavier , waviest )

1 ADJ Wavy hair is not straight or curly, but curves slightly. □  She had short, wavy brown hair.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wavy line has a series of regular curves along it. □  The boxes were decorated with a wavy gold line.

wax /wæ ks/ (waxes , waxing , waxed )

1 N‑VAR Wax is a solid, slightly shiny substance made of fat or oil which is used to make candles and polish. It melts when it is heated. □  There were coloured candles which had spread pools of wax on the furniture. □  She loved the scent in the house of wax polish.

2 VERB If you wax a surface, you put a thin layer of wax onto it, especially in order to polish it. □ [V n] We'd have long talks while she helped me wax the floor.

3 VERB If you have your legs waxed , you have the hair removed from your legs by having wax put on them and then pulled off quickly. □ [have n V -ed] She has just had her legs waxed at the local beauty parlour. □ [V n] She would wax her legs, ready for the party.

4 N‑UNCOUNT Wax is the sticky yellow substance found in your ears.

5 VERB If you say that someone, for example, waxes lyrical or waxes indignant about a subject, you mean that they talk about it in an enthusiastic or indignant way. □ [V adj] He waxed lyrical about the skills and commitment of his employees. □ [V adj] Tom sat himself down and waxed eloquent about all the advantages of the new plan.

6 PHRASE If something waxes and wanes , it first increases and then decreases over a period of time. □  Portugal and Spain had possessed vast empires that waxed and waned.

wa xed pa |per N‑UNCOUNT Waxed paper is the same as wax paper .

wax|en /wæ ks ^ə n/ ADJ A waxen face is very pale and looks very unhealthy. [LITERARY ]

wa x pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Wax paper is paper that has been covered with a thin layer of wax. It is used mainly in cooking or to wrap food. [AM ] in BRIT, use greaseproof paper

wax|work /wæ kswɜː ^r k/ (waxworks )

1 N‑COUNT A waxwork is a model of a person, especially a famous person, made out of wax.

2 N‑COUNT A waxworks is a place where waxworks are displayed for the public to look at. Waxworks is both the singular and the plural form.