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

All of it is housed in a warm space, painted with Farrow and Ball shades of New White, String, and Wimborne White paints and lit by Nickey Kehoe sconces. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 28 May 2025

The designer incorporated a Phillip Jeffries silk wall covering illuminated by Visual Comfort & Co. sconces and installed a custom bed upholstered in Kravet fabric. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025

Femininity and French craftsmanship are on prominent display, with bespoke headboards made from Pierre Frey fabrics in every room, as well as murals from Atelier de Ricou, bird-like Lalique sconces, and restored wooden beams on the ceilings. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025

To achieve the perfect glowy effect, opt for candles, sconces, or overhead light on a dimmer. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 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