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Meaning & use

taper candle

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈteɪ.pə ˌkæn.dəl/
US/ˈteɪ.pɚ ˌkæn.dəl/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A long, thin candle, often slightly narrower at the top, used in holders, churches, or on festive tables.

    Grammar: Countable: use a/an or a plural — a taper candle, two taper candles.

    Patterns

    • a pair of taper candles
    • light a taper candle
    • taper candles in holders

    She put two white taper candles in the silver holders.

    The church was lit by dozens of taper candles.

    We bought taper candles for the dinner table.

  2. nouncountable

    A candle that is shaped so it narrows toward one end, giving a slim, tapering look.

    Grammar: Countable; 'taper' here works like an adjective describing the candle's shape.

    Patterns

    • a tall taper candle
    • taper candles for decoration

    The tall taper candles had melted down to short stubs.

    He prefers taper candles because they look elegant on the mantelpiece.

Word forms

pluraltaper candles

Common combinations

a pair of taper candles
A pair of taper candles stood on the dining table.
light a taper candle
He lit a taper candle and the room grew warm.
tall taper candles
Tall taper candles burned on either side of the mirror.
taper candle holder
These brass taper candle holders belonged to my grandmother.
dripping taper candles
The dripping taper candles made a mess on the cloth.

Synonyms and how they differ

dinner candle
A candle meant for the table; it can be any shape, while a taper candle is specifically long and slim.
pillar candle
A thick, upright candle; it is much wider than a taper candle.
votive candle
A small candle often burned for prayer; unlike a taper candle it is short and stubby.

Word family

taper verb
To become gradually narrower toward one end.
tapered adjective
Having a shape that gets narrower toward one end, as in tapered trousers.

Commonly confused: taper candle or tapir? taper candle or taper?

taper candle vs tapir

A tapir is a large animal with a short snout; it sounds a little like 'taper' but is unrelated.

taper candle vs taper

'Taper' alone can mean the candle, but it also means to narrow; 'taper candle' makes the object clear.

Practice

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