Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

candlemas

/ˈkæn.dəl.məs/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.86 in modern English

Syllables: can-dle-mas
IPA: /ˈkæn.dəl.məs/

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The festival in the Christian year celebrated on February 2nd. It commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A quarter day in Scotland.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"To make Capons […] [S]ome for this Purpoſe make it their Buſineſs after Harveſt-time to go to Markets for buying up Chickens, and between Michaelmas and All-hollantide caponize the Cocks, when they have got large enough to have Stones [i.e., testes] of ſuch a Bigneſs that they may be pulled out; for if they are too little, it can't be done; […] [M]aking a Cut here big enough to put her Finger in, which ſhe thruſts under the Guts, and with it rakes or tears out the Stone that lies neareſt to it. This done, ſhe performs the very ſame Operation on the other Side of the Cock's Body, and there takes out the other Stone; then ſhe ſtitches up the Wounds, and lets the Fowl go about as at other Times, till the Capon is fatted in a Coup, which is commonly done from Chriſtmas to Candlemas, and after."
"They held high holiday from Christmas-day until Candlemas (February 2nd ), […]"

Etymology

From Middle English Candelmasse, from Old English Candelmæsse, equivalent to candle + -mas, following the tradition that the candles to be used in church during the following year are blessed on this day. Compare Old Norse kyndilsmessa (“Candlemas”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: Candelmasse, Candelmæsse
Suffix: candle

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈkæn.dəl.məs/
British English: /ˈkæn.dəl.məs/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Candlemases (plural) Candlemass (alternative)

Phrases

Burnt Candlemas Candlemas term Groundhog Day

Frequently Paired Words

Groundhog Day

Synonyms

candlemas day feb 2

Questions

How do you pronounce candlemas?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkæn.dəl.məs/.
What does candlemas mean?: The festival in the Christian year celebrated on February 2nd. It commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple.
Where does candlemas come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce candlemas

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “candlemas”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkæn.dəl.məs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “candlemas”.
Repeat and practice — Say “candlemas” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.