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noun Uncommon

chandler

CHANDL

Chandler (noun) means a person who makes or sells candles. Example: “The chandler's shop smelled of beeswax and tallow.”

noun
1
A person who makes or sells candles.
"The chandler's shop smelled of beeswax and tallow."
2
A dealer who supplies goods and equipment to ships, known as a ship chandler.
"They stocked up on rope and tinned food at the ship chandler before setting sail."

How to Use Chandler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOriginally a candle-maker; today most commonly used for a supplier of ship equipment and provisions.

Common pairings
ship chandler chandler's shop

Word Forms

chandlers plural, Chandlers plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____'s shop smelled of beeswax and tallow.

Etymology

From Old French chandelier ("candle-maker"), from Latin candela ("candle").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for chandler

See all rhymes for chandler →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “chandler” mean?

The word “chandler” means a person who makes or sells candles. In plain terms, originally a candle-maker; today most commonly used for a supplier of ship equipment and provisions.

How do you pronounce “chandler”?

“Chandler” is pronounced CHANDL (/ˈt͡ʃændlɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “chandler” in a sentence?

Here is “chandler” used in a sentence: “The chandler's shop smelled of beeswax and tallow.”

What part of speech is “chandler”?

“Chandler” is a noun.

Where does the word “chandler” come from?

The word “chandler” comes from Latin. From Old French chandelier ("candle-maker"), from Latin candela ("candle").

Is “chandler” a common word?

“Chandler” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “chandler” have?

“Chandler” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who makes or sells candles.

What is the difference between a chandler and a ship chandler?

A chandler, on its own, traditionally refers to someone who makes or sells candles. A ship chandler is a more specific dealer who supplies goods and equipment to ships.

Is chandler still used today?

The general sense of candle-maker is largely historical, but ship chandler remains an active term in the maritime trade for suppliers of ship equipment and provisions.

Is a chandler the same as a general shopkeeper?

No. A chandler is a specific type of trader, historically dealing in candles and later in ship supplies, which is narrower than the general term shopkeeper.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial