paraffin

noun

par·​af·​fin ˈper-ə-fən 

ˈpa-rə-

1

a

: a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics

b

: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily

2

: alkane

3

chiefly British : kerosene

paraffinic

ˌper-ə-ˈfi-nik 

pa-rə-

adjective

Examples of paraffin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pumpkin is carved from unscented paraffin wax and hollowed out in the center to hide the wires needed to create this natural candle effect. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025

The candle has four slow-burning wicks, is filled with a paraffin and soy wax blend, and burns for up to 22 hours. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025

The products are known for being clean-burning, phthalate-free, and free from synthetic dyes or paraffin. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

An excellent alternative to Working Hands, this moisturizer is composed of just five ingredients: lanolin, petrolatum, paraffin wax, water, and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, which features antiseptic properties. —Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, from Latin parum too little (akin to Greek pauros little, paid-, pais child) + affinis bordering on — more at few, affinity

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

paraffin

noun

par·​af·​fin ˈpar-ə-fən 

: a flammable waxy substance obtained from wood, coal, or petroleum and used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, and in drugs and cosmetics

Medical Definition

paraffin

noun

par·​af·​fin ˈpar-ə-fən 

1

a

: a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics

b

: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily

2

: alkane

paraffinic

ˌpar-ə-ˈfin-ik 

adjective