chandler

IPA/ˈtʃɑːndlə(r)/
KK[tʃˈændlɚ]IPA/ˈtʃændlər/

chandler — noun

  • chandlersingular
  • chandlersplural

1. someone who provides rope, paint, fuel, and other goods for ships and boats, or

1.nounC1
Definition

someone who provides rope, paint, fuel, and other goods for ships and boats, or the shop where crews buy those things.

Example

Rodrigo asked the chandler for new rope before the ferry left at dawn.

ask the chandler for + supplies

The harbor chandler stayed open late when three fishing boats came in together.

harbor chandler as the shop

Common collocations
  • ship's chandler
  • harbor chandler
  • buy from the chandler
  • ask the chandler for
Synonyms
  • marine supplier

    more modern and broader, often used for a business rather than a traditional harbor trader

  • outfitter

    often focuses more on equipment and clothing than on everyday ship provisions

Grammar Patterns

a ship's chandler

buy + supplies + from/at + the chandler

Usage Note

In sea-travel contexts, this noun can mean either the seller or the shop itself. It usually appears with ship, harbor, or dock language rather than with ordinary town shops.

Common Mistakes

We bought rope in the chandler.
We bought rope from the chandler.
this word names the seller or shop, so English usually uses from or at with the place.

2. in earlier times, someone who made candles, and often soap, to sell to other peo

2.nounC1
Definition

in earlier times, someone who made candles, and often soap, to sell to other people.

Example

Esme learned to melt wax slowly while working for the village chandler.

work for the village chandler

The old records show a chandler paying tax on soap and candles.

a chandler paying tax on soap and candles

Common collocations
  • village chandler
  • work as a chandler
  • melt wax for the chandler
  • candle wicks
Synonyms
  • candlemaker

    the more direct modern word for someone whose job is making candles

Grammar Patterns

work as a chandler

the village chandler

Usage Note

This sense is mostly historical. It appears in museum writing, old records, and descriptions of past trades, not in everyday modern shopping.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Chandler is a narrow maritime word. It points to the person or business that sells everyday goods for boats and ships, especially in a harbor setting. Supplier is much broader and can be used for almost any industry, so it does not suggest the sea by itself. Outfitter often focuses more on equipment or clothing for a particular activity, while chandler can include rope, paint, fuel, and routine provisions. In modern English, many speakers would choose marine supplier or marine outfitter instead of chandler, but chandler keeps the strongest link to ports and older shipping life.

chandler ↗supplier ↗outfitter

Etymology

Old FrenchAnglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Chandler entered English through French forms related to candle. The earliest use was for someone who made or sold candles, and the harbor-supply sense later grew from traders who stocked many everyday goods for ships.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1