beeswax

Everyday

1. The yellow wax that honeybees make to build their honeycomb. tree →
2. This wax used to make candles, polish, crayons and lip balm. tree →
3. (US, informal) In «none of your beeswax», a playful way to say «none of your business». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about bees, workers make wax from glands on their bodies and build hexagon-shaped cells. In everyday life: beeswax candles, wood polish, wax wraps for sandwiches. The jokey phrase is common among US children.

Examples

• Bees build their honeycomb out of beeswax. tree →
• We made candles from beeswax in craft club. tree →
• Mum polishes the old table with beeswax. tree →
• "What's in the box?" "None of your beeswax!" tree →
• My sandwich is wrapped in a beeswax wrap instead of plastic. tree →
• Beeswax melts if you leave it in the sun. tree →

Note

Uncountable: some beeswax, not «a beeswax». One word. «None of your beeswax» is cheeky; don't say it to a teacher.