votive candle

IPA/ˌvəʊtɪv ˈkændl/
IPA/ˌvəʊtɪv ˈkændl/

votive candle — noun

1. a short, wide candle set inside a small glass cup, used to create a soft, gentle

1.nounB1
Definition

a short, wide candle set inside a small glass cup, used to create a soft, gentle light in homes, restaurants, and at parties.

Example

Dahlia set a row of votive candles along the windowsill for the dinner party.

decoration use: row on windowsill

The café uses tall glass holders for its votive candles to prevent burns.

safety: glass holders prevent burns

Common collocations
  • glass votive candle
  • unscented votive candle
  • set out votive candles
  • votive candle holder
Synonyms
  • tea light

    a smaller candle in a thin metal cup, used for heating food or short-term decoration, not for religious purposes

  • jar candle

    a larger candle inside a tall glass jar, often scented and used for home fragrance

Usage Note

Frequently described by its container (glass cup, metal holder). Unlike taper candles, votive candles keep their shape as they burn and release less melted wax.

Common Mistakes

I put a votive candle on the birthday cake.
I put a birthday candle on the cake.
votive candles are too wide for a cake and are not designed for celebrations.

2. a candle lit inside a church, temple, or shrine as a personal act of prayer, to

2.nounB2
Definition

a candle lit inside a church, temple, or shrine as a personal act of prayer, to make a wish, or to honour a deity or ancestor.

Example

Mira lit a votive candle at the shrine and prayed for her father's recovery.

prayer offering for someone's health

Rows of red votive candles flickered inside the cathedral as visitors came to pray.

Common collocations
  • light a votive candle for someone
  • votive candle + prayer
  • votive candle + offering
  • leave a votive candle burning
Synonyms
  • prayer candle

    a broader term for any candle lit during worship, not necessarily the glass-cup type

  • offering candle

    emphasises the candle as a sacrifice or gift to a deity

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 focuses on the intent of prayer or vow, not the candle's appearance or decorative use. The candle is usually left to burn completely without being blown out.

Common Mistakes

She blew out the votive candle after her prayer.
She let the votive candle burn out after her prayer.
in many traditions, the candle must burn completely as the offering.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

A 'votive candle' is a specific type of short, wide candle set in a glass cup, originally intended for use in church prayers and vows. 'Prayer candle' is a broader term covering any candle lit during worship — it does not require the glass-cup shape and may refer to tall, thin candles as well. 'Offering candle' emphasises the act of giving the candle as a gift to a deity, ancestor, or saint. A 'tea light' is smaller and housed in a thin metal cup; it is used for heating food or brief decoration rather than religious devotion. For actual prayer practice, 'votive candle' and 'prayer candle' overlap, but a votive candle implies a specific physical form and the tradition of letting it burn down completely.

votive candle ↗prayer candleoffering candletea light ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • light a votive candle
  • place a votive candle
  • set out votive candles
  • votive candle + burn

Prepositions

  • in (a church / a glass cup)
  • before (a statue / an icon / a cross)
  • along (a windowsill / an aisle)

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'votive' traces back to Latin 'votum', which means 'a vow, a promise, or a wish made to a god'. In ancient Roman religion, people offered 'vota' — gifts given to fulfil a solemn promise. By the early 1600s, English had adopted 'votive' for objects dedicated by vow, and 'votive candle' came to refer to a candle lit in a church as part of a personal prayer or pledge. The tradition is still observed today in Catholic, Orthodox, Buddhist, and Hindu communities worldwide.

First known use

1608

1608, in the meaning defined above