What does candelabrum mean?
A candelabrum is a decorative stand, typically made of metal such as silver, brass, or bronze, designed to hold multiple candles on its branches or arms. Unlike a chandelier, which hangs from the ceiling, a candelabrum rests on a surface such as a dining table or altar, making it a fixture of formal dinners, weddings, and religious ceremonies. The word derives from the Latin candela, meaning 'candle', and entered English in the seventeenth century. Its traditional plural is candelabra, though this Latin plural is so widely used as a singular noun in everyday speech that many dictionaries now accept it as a singular form in its own right. Candelabra carry connotations of elegance, tradition, and ceremony, evoking candlelit banquets and grand interiors. For anyone describing refined settings or antique furnishings, the word offers a precise and evocative term for one of the most recognizable objects of formal illumination.
nounA large, often ornate branched holder designed to support several candles or lamps.
- An ornate branched stand holding several candles, placed on a table or floor.
"A silver candelabrum gleamed at the centre of the banquet table."
"The dining room was lit by a bronze candelabrum bearing six tall tapers."
"He polished the heirloom candelabrum before setting it out for the holiday dinner."
The standard plural is the Latin-derived 'candelabra'; however, 'candelabra' is now widely used as a singular noun, so 'candelabrums' also appears as a regular English plural when the singular/plural distinction must be preserved.
"Three matching candelabra were arranged down the length of the banquet table."
The word comes straight from Latin — candela means 'candle' and the same root gives us 'candidate', since ancient Romans seeking office were said to be 'clothed in white'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of candelabrum
Candelabrum comes directly from the Latin word candela, meaning 'candle', combined with a suffix indicating a supporting structure. It was borrowed into English in the seventeenth century, when interest in classical learning made Latin terms fashionable vocabulary. Its plural, candelabra, follows the Latin neuter plural ending -a. The same Latin root candela underlies related English words including chandelier, candle, incandescent, and candid.
Related word forms
How candelabrum is actually used
Formal or literary register; common in descriptions of ceremonial, religious, or elegant domestic settings. The plural 'candelabra' is frequently used as a singular noun in casual English, though careful writers treat 'candelabrum' as the singular form.
Easily confused with candelabrum
A chandelier is a light fixture suspended from a ceiling, whereas a candelabrum stands on a table or other surface.
Candelabra is simply the plural (or an accepted singular variant) of candelabrum, which is the singular form.