sconces

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A decorative light fixed to a wall, often with a bracket and a shade, used to light a room or hallway.

   Grammar: Countable and most often plural, since people usually fit them in pairs: a pair of sconces.

   Patterns

   • a pair of sconces
   • wall sconces
   • fit sconces on something

   They fitted two brass sconces on either side of the mirror.

   The hallway was lit by a row of small sconces.

   She replaced the old sconces with modern ones that give a softer light.

2. 2nouncountableold-fashioned

   A small bracket or holder attached to a wall to support a candle or a lamp.

   Grammar: Countable; this older sense refers to the holder itself rather than the electric fitting.

   Patterns

   • a candle sconce
   • hang a sconce on the wall

   Each sconce held a single candle, and the room was full of shadows.

   The old candle sconces had been polished until they shone.

Word forms

Common combinations

wall sconce

A pair of wall sconces framed the doorway.

brass sconce

The brass sconces matched the door handles.

candle sconce

An iron candle sconce hung beside the fireplace.

fit a sconce

We fitted a sconce above the reading chair.

a pair of sconces

She bought a pair of sconces for the stairs.

Synonyms and how they differ

wall light

A plainer, more general term for any light fixed to a wall; use it when you do not want to suggest decoration.

bracket light

A British term for a light on a wall bracket; it sounds more technical than 'sconce'.

wall lamp

Often suggests a lamp that can be switched on and off on its own, while a sconce may simply be a holder.

Word family

sconce noun

The singular form: one wall light or candle holder.

Commonly confused: sconces or scone?

Practice

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