chandelier

American  

[shan-dl-eer] / ˌʃæn dlˈɪər /

noun

chandeliers plural

1. a decorative, sometimes ornate, light fixture suspended from a ceiling, usually having branched supports for a number of lights.

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chandelier British  

/ ˌʃændɪˈlɪə /

noun

1. an ornamental hanging light with branches and holders for several candles or bulbs

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• chandeliered
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• chandeliers
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chandelier chandeliers

A "nearly forgotten" historic streetlamp that once stood outside on 23rd Street has been reimagined as a chandelier in the lobby, Sofield said.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

The current West End production includes the massive, ornate spherical chandelier and the stage-to-ceiling travel — “a happy medium between the two worlds,” said Sklar-Heyn.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Adjacent to the lounging space is a large dining room with an elegant chandelier.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

Then head inside on the second floor rotunda to see the marvelous California history mural and the breathtaking globe chandelier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

They sat on the floor of the dining room underneath a gigantic chandelier.

From "Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo

Uniformed doormen greet guests at the entrance, while chandeliers, fireplaces and classic architectural details reinforce the hotel’s historic character.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

Under ornate glass chandeliers, he boasted to cameras that his Tokyo-based technology conglomerate would unleash at least $52 billion of investment in French data centers, part of his global AI spending spree.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

However, Lopez’s newly renovated space has a much brighter color palette, with a marble fireplace, pale green walls, gold chandeliers, and painted beams.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

“The sterile white ballroom, with its 40-foot ceilings, gilded chandeliers, and sky-high windows, conveys none of that.”

From Slate ● May 18, 2026

Overhead, crystal chandeliers sparkled like stars in the soft evening light.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple