votive candle

noun

plural votive candles

: a short thick candle used especially as a prayer offering or for decoration

Male and female patrons crowd together at small tables where flames wobble on colored votive candles.

—Rachel Hickerson

… in some parts of the church you still bake. A lot of churches have gotten rid of votive candles because of the soot and the heat.

—Rev. John Kozar, quoted in The Pittsburgh (PA) Press

called also votive

Examples of votive candle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These mercury glass trees from Better Homes & Gardens can be placed over an electric votive candle to emit a soft glow in any space. —Shea Simmons, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Skull votive candles: These decor items are guaranteed to uplevel your space. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Oct. 2024

On Wednesday, Feliciano visited the lobby of her brother’s building, where neighbors have set up a memorial of votive candles. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 18 July 2024

On the side of the road, his children and grandchildren placed 10 votive candles, a small bowl for incense, a photo of Voong on vacation in Cozumel, and two miniature candy bars for the great-grandfather with a sweet tooth. —Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

votive candle

noun

1

: a candle lit in devotion or gratitude

2

: a small squat candle

called also votive