sconce

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈskän(t)s 

1

: a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks

also : an electric light fixture patterned on a candle sconce

2

: head, skull

sconce

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a detached defensive work

Examples of sconce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Japanese paper sconce by Mieke Vanlede; vintage Hungarian chairs and wood owl side tables. —Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2025

The ceilings soar, the art is large and muted and gently abstract, the white linens on the tables glow like cream in the halo of Art Deco sconces and dramatically tubular chandeliers. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

The sconce lighting is by Kassandra Thatcher from Spartan Shop. —Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 31 Dec. 2024

For example, use metal hardware on kitchen cabinets, install industrial-esque sconces and light fixtures, and leave raw materials, like exposed brick and natural wood, exposed. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French sconce, *esconse screened candle or lantern, from escunser to hide, obscure, from Old French escons, past participle of escondre to hide, from Vulgar Latin *excondere, alteration of Latin abscondere — more at abscond

Noun (2)

Dutch schans, from German Schanze

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1571, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sconce

• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• renaissance
• naissance
• response

Kids Definition

sconce

noun

ˈskän(t)s

: a lamp or candlestick or group of candlesticks fastened to a wall