tea light

noun

variants or less commonly tealight

ˈtē-ˌlīt 

or tea light candle or tealight candle

plural tea lights also tealights or tea light candles or tealight candles

: a small cylindrical candle that is usually less than 1 inch in height and that is usually set in a holder (as of metal or plastic)

Tiny tea lights float on water in the tub in the darkened bathroom.

—Jura Koncius

We like this ceramic fondue pot that uses a simple tea light candle to keep the cheese melty and delicious.

—Holly Hanchey

also : a battery-operated artificial candle of similar size and shape

You could create a whole miniature village of houses, each one with a battery-powered tealight inside.

—Emily Dawe

—sometimes hyphenated before another noun

… clever tea-light holders that feature a slot to accommodate a match.

—Rob Walker

Examples of tea light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to traditional menorahs, consider incorporating pillar candles, strands of twinkly lights, candlesticks, tea lights, and more. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2024

The small base leaves room for two tea light candles, perfect for setting the mood in your home. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024

Finally, add lights; use LED tea lights or mini fairy lights. —The Week Junior, theweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Plus, the candleholders built in provide an ideal place for tea light candles or wide pillar candles. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2024

Her tiered altar was decorated with flowers, tea light candles and calaveras, or sugar skulls. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

There’s a lake and a yard with a fire pit, a picnic table, and strung tea lights. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024

The set includes three standing turkeys and three that sit, and all six hold a real or LED tea light candle. —Kaitlin Gates, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024

Notes: Fresh, Floral, Woody Apotheke Earl Grey Bitters Candle $44 Apotheke Take the idea of a tea light to a whole new level with this Earl Grey scented three-wick candle that combines the smell of black tea leaves with bergamot, lemon zest, and peony. —Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

so called from the use of such candles to keep a pot of tea hot

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above