# candlestick

/ˈkændəɫˌstɪk/ (US) · /kˈændəlstˌɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/candlestick
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. candle holder

noun · CEFR B1

a decorative object used to hold a candle in place.

For teachers: a device with a socket or spike designed to hold a candle upright.

- She placed a silver candlestick in the center of the dining table.
- The antique brass candlestick was heavy and ornate, showing signs of centuries of wax buildup around its base.

### 2. finance chart

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of graph that shows if a stock price went up or down during a day.

For teachers: a price chart used in technical analysis that displays the high, low, open, and closing prices of a security for a specific period.

- The trader looked at the green candlestick to see how much the price rose.
- A long red candlestick on the daily chart indicated a significant sell-off, suggesting that bearish sentiment was dominating the market.

Usage: Often used as a compound noun in 'candlestick chart'.

Teaching tip: While the object is A2/B1 level, the financial sense is C1 technical jargon used by investors.

### 3. gymnastics move

noun · CEFR B2

a position where you lie on your shoulders and point your legs straight up.

For teachers: a body position in gymnastics where the performer balances on their upper back and shoulders with legs extended vertically.

- The coach told the children to hold the candlestick position for ten seconds.
- The gymnast transitioned smoothly from a roll into a perfect candlestick, maintaining a straight line from her hips to her toes.

### 4. parachute failure

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Informal

when a parachute fails to open and looks like a long, thin candle.

For teachers: to fail to deploy properly, resulting in the canopy remaining thin and tapered like a candle flame.

- The skydiver had to use his backup chute after the main one started to candlestick.
- Witnesses reported seeing the primary canopy candlestick during the descent, forcing the jumper to cut away and deploy the reserve.

Usage: Intransitive verb.

Teaching tip: This is highly specialized jargon used almost exclusively in the skydiving and BASE jumping communities.

## Examples

- The trader looked at the candlestick to see how the stock performed today.
- By analyzing the candlestick patterns, the analyst could predict a potential price reversal in the coming weeks.
- While traditional bar charts provide similar data, the candlestick offers a more intuitive visual representation of market sentiment through its distinct body and shadow lengths.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.