candle
KAN-duhl
Candle (noun) means a stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light. Example: “She lit a candle to set the mood at dinner.”
noun
1
A stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light.
"She lit a candle to set the mood at dinner."
"The power cut left them reading by candlelight for hours."
"A single candle flickered on the windowsill all evening."
verb
1
To check the health of a growing embryo in an egg by holding it up to a bright light.
"The farmer candled the eggs to check for fertility."
"She candled each egg in the dark kitchen to spot any growth."
"The children watched as the keeper candled an egg with a lamp."
How to use candle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wax stick with a wick, burned for light or atmosphere.
Common pairings
light a candle
candle wax
birthday candles
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Word forms
- Plural
- candles
- Third person singular
- candles
- Past tense
- candled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She lit a _____ to set the mood at dinner.
Etymology
From Old English candel, borrowed from Latin candela, from candere, "to shine" — the same root behind "candid" and "candela".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for candle
See all rhymes for candle →Frequently asked questions
What does “candle” mean?
The word “candle” means a stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light. In plain terms, a wax stick with a wick, burned for light or atmosphere.
How do you pronounce “candle”?
“Candle” is pronounced KAN-duhl (/ˈkæn.dəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “candle” in a sentence?
Here is “candle” used in a sentence: “She lit a candle to set the mood at dinner.”
What part of speech is “candle”?
Depending on how it is used, “candle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “candle” come from?
The word “candle” comes from Latin. From Old English candel, borrowed from Latin candela, from candere, "to shine" — the same root behind "candid" and "candela".
Is “candle” a common word?
“Candle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “candle” have?
“Candle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light.
What is the difference between a candle and a taper?
A candle is any stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light. A taper is a particular kind of candle that is long and very slender, and the word can also mean a thin wick or spill used to light other candles.
Why do people candle eggs?
To candle an egg is to hold it up to a bright light in order to check the health of a growing embryo inside. Farmers and hatcheries do this to see whether an egg is fertile or developing normally without having to break the shell.
What is the difference between a candle and a votive?
A votive is a small, short candle, usually burned in a holder for religious or decorative purposes. Candle is the general term for any wax stick with a wick, so a votive is one specific type of candle.
