candlecan‧dle /ˈkændl/ ●●○ S3 noun [countable] 
a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light2can’t hold a candle to somebody/something informal if something or someone cannot hold a candle to something or someone else, they are not as good as the other thing or person: 
No other singer can hold a candle to her. → burn the candle at both ends at burn1(19)COLLOCATIONSverbslight a candle· She lit a candle in the church.blow out a candle· Can you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake?a candle burns (=is giving out light)· The house was dark except for one candle burning in a window.a candle flickers (=the flame moves in an unsteady way)· As the door opened, the candles flickered unsteadily.a candle goes out· A sudden draught made the candles go out.adjectivesa lighted candle· A procession moved through the village carrying lighted candles.a flickering candle (=with the flame moving unsteadily)· The church was full of flickering white candles.candle + NOUNa candle flame· The candle flame flickered.
WORD ORIGINcandle
Origin:
600-700 Latin candela, from candere; ➔ CANDIDEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Citronella candles are a must at an outdoor do.
- Ivy, candles and fruit arranged in a wire basket make a sumptuous centrepiece.
- Make a wish, take a deep breath, blow out the flames and chow down on the candles.
- People drive from all over the region to buy their furniture, candles, quilts, glassware and so on.
- Shoes, clothing, leather goods, candles and kitchen utensils are all produced.
- The windows had been opened wide and a small breeze fluttered the candles.
- There were a new tablecloth and candles on the table.
- We carefully watched the flame of the hour candle eating away the wax from ring to ring.
THESAURUS
something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see: · She switched the kitchen light on.· The lights in the house were all off.
an object that produces light by using electricity, oil, or gas – often used in names of lights: · a bedside lamp· a street lamp· a desk lamp· a table lamp· an old oil lamp· a paraffin lamp
a lamp that you can carry, consisting of a metal container with glass sides that surrounds a flame or light: · The miners used lanterns which were lit by candles.
British English, flashlight American English a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand: · We shone our torches around the cavern.
a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light: · The restaurant was lit by candles.
the glass part of an electric light, that the light shines from: · a 100 watt bulb· an energy-saving light bulb
WORD SETSAC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Two thousand demonstrators held a candle-lit vigil outside the embassy.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· She lit a candle in the church.
· Can you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake?
(=is giving out light)· The house was dark except for one candle burning in a window.
(=the flame moves in an unsteady way)· As the door opened, the candles flickered unsteadily.
· A sudden draught made the candles go out.
adjectives· A procession moved through the village carrying lighted candles.
(=with the flame moving unsteadily)· The church was full of flickering white candles.
candle + NOUN· The candle flame flickered.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=with only candles for lighting)· Chris treated his girlfriend to a candle-lit dinner.
· He lit the fire with the candle flame.
Two thousand demonstrators held a candle-lit vigil outside the embassy.· But it just got to me, each item more than the last. 8.25 Light candles.· People fall all over each other to help light memorial candles, to organize funerals.· So much she wanted to fling back the covers, light incense and candles, worship this adored body.· Make a fire, he told himself. Light candles.· Hari was working late and the candle over her shoulder provided little enough light.· Praise be, the lady prioress had no light or candle there.· Her dark hair shone in the light from the candles.
· Up from the ground floor, a lighted candle in his hand, rumbled Mr Beavis.· He used a familiar and homely test - a lighted candle.· Or, they may be involved in some form of ritual in which the lighted candle has a religious significance.· Doubtless the carver mistook a lighted candle for a flower on the illustration he was copying.· She took a lighted candle in its holder with her, and placed it on the mahogany chest of drawers.· He had obviously told the servants that he had accidentally set fire to his room by knocking over a lighted candle.· In the centre of the table was an iced cake with nine lighted candles on it.
· He reads the instructions on a firework called a roman candle.
· The single candle was reflected in her shining eyes like a diamond.· A single candle burned on the desk.· In the bar, a single candle threw grotesque shadows across the ceiling.· Their universe hangs on a brush of skin, a few grains of desert sand, a single candle flame.· About half way along the corridor a single candle burned in an iron holder on a small table.· She replaced it by a single candle.
· Last month we were able to borrow a votive candle stand, which stands in the Lady Chapel area.· Mrs Bay hurried about the living room, lighting row after row of votive candles.· A votive candle is placed on the dozen or so tables, part of the ritual of late afternoon tea.· Sofas are plump with crisp white bed pillows. Votive candles twinkle in every room.
· A tree decorated with white candles sparkled behind him.· A white candle jutted from each, three backed by thin purple banners and one by a banner of rose.· Fat white candles, the only illumination, burned on each of the tables.· Great spumes of snow roared up and the trees were like huge white candles, glowing under the moon.· I can see in my mind's eye how the avenue of chestnuts was alight with red and white candles.· In the middle of the table was a formal arrangement of chrysanthemums, flanked by white candles in silver holders.· Paint the bottom half of the white candles with blue food colouring.
NOUN· Izzie crept out last, and pinched dead the candle flame.· Light bulbs, shaped like tiny candle flames, flicker.· She holds the adventurers at bay by holding the scroll over a candle flame and threatening to destroy it.· I stopped suddenly, the rage, like a candle flame, snuffed out.· Under these conditions the methane jets pushed the candle flame outside the gauze, causing explosions.· Heating an implement made of a straightened safety pin, he speared the bugs, then brought them to the candle flame.· The candle flame ran huge shadows like grasping fingers across the ceiling in the draught.· With jabbing movements, she rolls a cigarette, licks the end and holds it to the candle flame.
· Two bronze candle holders in the center flanked a floral piece.
· Lady Horne told them to sit whilst behind them the girl lit candles.
· Standing all day on the wet clay floor under the dropping ceiling in the faint light cast by tallow candles was grim.· We groped around in the darkness, found a fat tallow candle and I lit it with my tinder.· The room smelt stale and musty with the pungent odour of the fat tallow candles placed on the desk.· Some thick, tallow candles, and jugs and bowls completed the furnishings.· An ancient tallow candle stood fixed in its grease on one of the cross-beams, with a tinder beside it.
· I stared wonderingly at the small, wax candle which I had thrown on to the floor of my chamber.· I remember it being dark-beamed with windows high in the wall and wax candles already lit.· Firelight reflecting, Red wax candles, Treble voiced choirboys, Spicy hot pies.
VERB· When we left they blew out all the candles and remained in the dark tombs.· Then blindfold them and invite them to take four steps backwards followed by four forward before trying to blow out the candle.· Then, picking up his tomahawk, he blows out the candle and springs into bed.· They gathered the flowers that had been left as offerings, they blew the floating candles out.· Mike blew his candle out, and I did the same.· With a sigh, Connor shut the door and bolted it, then blew out the candle and went upstairs.· He blew our the candle and locked the door.
· Davy had found a way to burn a candle in a methane-rich atmosphere.· There are hundreds of signed snapshots of Malverde believers, burning candles and handwritten notes of gratitude.· You dry them and they burn joost like a candle.
· I bought a candle out of necessity.· Should I dash out and buy candles along with my favorite flavored lubricant?· I went to the busy market with Gilles to buy fruit and candles for Amantani.· We all bought some candles and soap from the little store.· People drive from all over the region to buy their furniture, candles, quilts, glassware and so on.· It is quiet and peaceful there at night and we took Sam to buy candles.· He acquired a stake in a small lighting business which bought candles from the Wandsworth factory.
· Their house was lit by oil lamps downstairs, and we carried candles up to bed.· Youngsters carried the candles of the nation.· Margarett came to him, unexpectedly, in the night, wearing a filmy dressing gown and carrying a candle.· The Scouts carry candles, which drip on to their jackets.· He was carrying a lighted candle and a narrow-necked glass jar whose base appeared to contain lead shot.
· The eyes flickered feverishly like guttering candles.· That fear sent her across to the nearest flickering candle.
· All the McIlkenny grandchildren are holding candles in support of the vigil for their grandfather.· With jabbing movements, she rolls a cigarette, licks the end and holds it to the candle flame.· And, as far as ridiculously pompous, overblown musical statements go, no-one holds a candle to Simple Minds.· In front of people old Mrs Fermoyle had acted like nobody could hold a candle to the Fermoyles.· Our cake looks dazzling, tastes wonderful and no one else's will hold a candle to it!· She wheeled round in a rage, holding the candle high.· And let me tell you something finally, you can't hold a candle to my woman.· She was holding a candle and her eyes shone in its light and her gleaming hair fell like silk on her shoulders.
· These bottles are left with a candle rammed into the neck and therefore presumably considered useful.
· He watched her place the candle on the windowsill.
· I put my candle down on the shelf, and dropped thankfully on to the bed.· Last night Lois put a candle inside and lit up a happy mouth of three significant teeth.· You're putting up candles in the wind now.· Guy put the candle down on the stool and reached across the bed.· She put silver candles on the table and orange and white blossom in the corners of the room.· She put out the candles and followed him.· If you put out the candle you were finished.· She put down the candle and left it burning there.
· He snuffed out the candle and, putting his face over the glass chimney of the lamp, blew out the flame.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1- Basketball stars today can't hold a candle to Michael Jordan.
- Back in the twenties, the Millay sisters were known in New York society for burning the candle at both ends.
- Dry herbs don't hold a candle to fresh ones.
a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light2can’t hold a candle to somebody/something informal if something or someone cannot hold a candle to something or someone else, they are not as good as the other thing or person: No other singer can hold a candle to her. → burn the candle at both ends at burn1(19)COLLOCATIONSverbslight a candle· She lit a candle in the church.blow out a candle· Can you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake?a candle burns (=is giving out light)· The house was dark except for one candle burning in a window.a candle flickers (=the flame moves in an unsteady way)· As the door opened, the candles flickered unsteadily.a candle goes out· A sudden draught made the candles go out.adjectivesa lighted candle· A procession moved through the village carrying lighted candles.a flickering candle (=with the flame moving unsteadily)· The church was full of flickering white candles.candle + NOUNa candle flame· The candle flame flickered.