What does sconce mean?
A sconce is most often a wall-mounted holder or fixture for a candle or electric light, especially in an elegant or historic interior. The word may refer either to the support itself or, in modern decorative usage, to the complete light fixture. Older English also used a sconce for a small defensive work, such as a fortified position, and the verb “to sconce” meant to protect or strengthen a place with such works. These older military senses are now chiefly historical or archaic, while the lighting sense is familiar in British and American English. A sconce is therefore useful not merely as vocabulary for wall lighting but also as a compact example of how one word can preserve both domestic and defensive senses. In descriptions of interiors, “wall sconce” is the most frequent pairing; in older writing, the same spelling can evoke candles, towers, loopholes, and fortified gateways.
A wall-mounted holder or fixture for a candle or electric light; in older usage, a small fortification or fortified position.
"The antique sconces cast warm light across the dining room."
The historical sense referring to a defensive structure is now uncommon outside historical or literary writing.
To protect, strengthen, or fortify with a sconce or defensive work.
"The defenders sconced the gateway against attack."
This verb is archaic or historical and is rarely encountered in modern English.
The standard plural applies to both the wall-mounted light and the older defensive structure.
"Two ornate sconces illuminated the staircase."
A sconce can illuminate a wall as a candle holder or fortify one as a defensive structure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sconce come from?
The candle-holder sense entered Middle English through Old French esconche, originally a basket or holder for a candle; its ultimate Germanic source is commonly connected with words meaning “shade” or “shelter.” The separate fortification sense developed through French sconche from Italian sconce, related to scontare and ultimately Latin abscondere, “to hide out.” The precise historical linkage of the two senses is not entirely certain, but the modern word preserves both a lighting fixture and a military noun.
Related word forms
How sconce is actually used
The lighting sense is standard but often carries a decorative or period-interior register. The fortified-position sense and the verb are chiefly archaic or historical.
Easily confused with sconce
A sconce is a holder or fixture for a wall-mounted light, whereas a scone is a small Scottish baked good.