chandelier
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of chandelier
1655–65; < French: literally, something that holds candles; see chandler
Explanation
A chandelier is a fancy light fixture that is often ornate and hanging suspended in the middle of a formal space. Walk into a grand ballroom and see a light fixture adorned with sparkling crystals? That's a chandelier. The word chandelier comes from the French candere meaning "be white, glisten." Look up at a chandelier and you'll see it glistening and casting white reflections on the walls. The French origin of the word might call up images of palaces like Versailles in France, where chandeliers hang in nearly every room.
Vocabulary lists containing chandelier
The Ottoman Empire: Furniture Words
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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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List 9
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their Jan. 1 wedding was held at the Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The celebration actually started on Dec. 31, 2021, to mirror their engagement.
From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2022
The dancer, who appeared in Lifetime's reality show "Dance Moms," was also featured in Sia's 2014 and 2015 music videos for "Chandelier," "Elastic Heart" and "Big Girls Cry."
From Salon • Jan. 21, 2022
A rooftop pool deck overlooks the Mississippi River below, and the lobby’s Chandelier Bar will serve sparkling wine under a glittering chandelier that measures 20 feet across.
From Washington Post • Jul. 21, 2021
It also features guest vocals from pop superstar Sia who, since the success of Chandelier, has become a firm family friend and godmother to Maddie.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2020
Chandelier, shan-de-lēr′, n. a frame with branches for holding lights.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
