chandelier

noun

chan·​de·​lier ˌshan-də-ˈlir How to pronounce chandelier (audio)
Synonyms of chandeliernext
: a branched often ornate lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling
chandeliered
ˌshan-də-ˈlird How to pronounce chandelier (audio)
adjective

Illustration of chandelier

Illustration of chandelier

Examples of chandelier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the end of the street is the imposing Gringotts bank with its colossal marble columns and gleaming chandeliers hanging down from a domed ceiling. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 There were three chandeliers, there were wood walls with mirrors on them. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 The center island has storage, a prep sink and a linear chandelier. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026 Under glittering chandeliers some guests traded stories of the shooting that interrupted the fundraiser in April. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chandelier

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Old French, going back to Vulgar Latin *candēlārium, formed by substitution of the suffix -ārium -ary entry 1 from Latin candēlābrum candelabrum

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chandelier was in 1736

Rhymes for chandelier

See All Rhymes for chandelier

Browse Nearby Words

chandala
chandelier
chandelier tree
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chandelier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chandelier. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

chandelier

noun
chan·​de·​lier ˌshan-də-ˈli(ə)r How to pronounce chandelier (audio)
: a branched lighting fixture usually hanging from a ceiling
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of mitigate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All