Meaning & use
scented candles
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Meanings
nounplural
Candles made with fragrance oils or perfume so that they release a pleasant smell while they burn.
Grammar: Almost always plural; for a single item use the singular form "a scented candle".
Patterns
- a scented candle
- light/burn scented candles
- the scent of a scented candle
She lit some scented candles and the whole room smelled of vanilla.
Scented candles make a simple, safe gift for a housewarming.
The hotel lobby was full of scented candles and soft music.
nounplural
These candles considered as a product category sold in shops, often chosen by fragrance.
Grammar: Used as a general label for goods, so it takes plural verbs and no article.
Patterns
- sell scented candles
- buy scented candles
- a range of scented candles
The little shop sells scented candles, soaps, and dried flowers.
Scented candles are one of their best-selling lines at Christmas.
He started making scented candles at home and now sells them online.
Word forms
| singular | scented candle |
|---|
Common combinations
- light a scented candle
- I always light a scented candle when I take a bath.
- a strong scent
- That scented candle has a very strong scent of roses.
- a set of scented candles
- We gave her a set of scented candles in three different fragrances.
- burn a scented candle
- Don't burn a scented candle right next to the curtains.
- scented candle holder
- The scented candle holder is made of dark glass.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aromatherapy candle
- Suggests the candle is sold for relaxation or wellbeing rather than just for its smell.
- perfumed candle
- Very close in meaning, but sounds slightly more old-fashioned and stresses the perfume.
Opposites
Word family
- scent noun
- The pleasant smell that something gives off.
- scented adjective
- Having an added smell, as in scented soap or scented paper.
- candle noun
- A stick of wax with a string through it that burns to give light.
- candlelight noun
- The soft light produced by burning candles.
Commonly confused: scented candles or incense?
scented candles vs incense
Incense is a substance you burn to produce smoke and smell, not a candle with a wick. A scented candle gives light as well as fragrance.
Practice
Which sentence uses "scented candles" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Scented candles" is plural, so it needs no article: "She bought scented candles." Option 0 wrongly adds "a" before a plural, and options 2 and 3 mix singular and plural forms incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scented candles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.