burning candle

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A candle that is lit and giving off light and heat.

   Grammar: Countable: one burning candle, two burning candles. The -ing word describes the candle's state.

   Patterns

   • a burning candle
   • the burning candle
   • burning candles

   She left a burning candle on the dinner table while she went to answer the door.

   The room was dark except for one burning candle in the corner.

   Never leave a burning candle near curtains or paper.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A candle used as a symbol of hope, prayer, or remembrance.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'keep a burning candle' for someone.

   Patterns

   • keep a burning candle for someone
   • a burning candle of hope

   They kept a burning candle in the window as a sign of welcome.

   For many people, a burning candle stands for peace and memory.

Word forms

Common combinations

leave a burning candle

Don't leave a burning candle unattended.

a burning candle flickers

The burning candle flickered when the door opened.

light a burning candle

He lit a candle and watched the burning candle for a while.

blow out a burning candle

She blew out the burning candle before bed.

Synonyms and how they differ

lit candle

Means almost the same, but 'lit candle' is a more neutral description of a candle that has been lit.

flame

Refers to the fire itself, not the whole candle; a burning candle has a flame.

Opposites

Word family

candle noun

A stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light.

burn verb

To be on fire or to produce flames.

Commonly confused: burning candle or burnt candle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “burning candle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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