Definitions
01wax light source
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a stick of wax with a string (wick) in the middle that you burn to produce light.
n. a light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance such as wax or paraffin.
“She lit a scented candle to make the living room feel more relaxing.”
“The power cut forced the family to rely on a few old candles they found in the kitchen drawer.”
Synonyms
02to check with light
C2 · Proficiency Technical
v. to look through something, like an egg or an envelope, by holding it up to a bright light.
v. to examine an object by holding it between the eye and a light source, typically to check for internal defects or contents.
“The farmer had to candle the eggs to see which ones were developing properly.”
“Security personnel may candle suspicious envelopes to determine if they contain any illicit materials without opening the seal.”
Usage
This transitive verb is most commonly used in poultry farming or postal security.
03unit of light
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Archaic · Technical
n. an old way of measuring how bright a light is.
n. a former unit of luminous intensity, now largely superseded by the SI unit candela.
“The old lighthouse used a lamp that was equal to thousands of candles.”
“Early photometric standards relied on the light emitted by a standard candle of specific composition and weight.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “candle” in context.
Verb
01. blow out a candle
“Make a wish before you blow out the candles on your birthday cake!”
verb + noun
02. burn the candle at both ends
“He has been burning the candle at both ends by working all day and studying all night.”
verb + noun + prep
03. light a candle
“She decided to light a candle to create a more relaxing atmosphere in the room.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. flickering candle
“The flickering candle cast long, dancing shadows against the dining room wall.”
adj + noun
05. scented candle
“The room was filled with the pleasant aroma of a lavender scented candle.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. candle flame
“He watched the tiny candle flame dance in the slight breeze from the window.”
noun + noun
07. stick of candle
“She found a single stick of candle in the drawer when the power went out.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. by candle light
“They enjoyed a romantic dinner by candle light at the small Italian bistro.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Boiling water is too hot to touch safely, and a candle flame is even hotter.” “Members of the Nepalese community gather around lit candles in Jackson Heights, N.Y., on Aug.” Etymology
From Middle English candel, from Old English candel (“candle”), borrowed from Latin candēla (“candle”), from Latin candeō (“be white, bright, shining”, verb); see candid. Doublet of candela and chandelle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/candle
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0