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Glite Dictionary
candlepins

candlepins

8.7
A type of bowling with tall thin pins and small balls
  • noun
  • /ˈkændəlˌpɪnz/
  • US
translation icon : candlepins
  • The alley offered both tenpin and candlepins for different bowling experiences.

Examples

  • She grew up competing in candlepins tournaments every winter.

  • I love playing candlepins on weekends.

  • Many people in New England enjoy playing candlepins because of its unique challenge.

  • Have you ever tried candlepins before?

  • In New England, many bowling alleys offer a fun game of candlepins for those looking for a different bowling experience.

  • At the birthday party, we played candlepins and everyone enjoyed the challenge of knocking down the slender pins.

  • My friends and I love to go bowling, especially when we can play candlepins at our local alley.

Synonyms

candlepin bowling
vscandlepins
  • US
6.5

A game like bowling played with thin straight pins and a small ball you hold in your hand

is the same game but noted as common in New England

Surface Forms

candlepins plural
candlepin singular

Morphology

candlepins = candlepin (semi-transparent) = candle + pin + s

The components 'candle' + 'pin' are visible and describe the shape, but the specialized bowling sense (and name of the game) is a conventionalized usage not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word candlepins comes from the thin pins that look like a candle ('a stick of wax that gives light') and the word pin ('small stick'). So the name shows the game uses long, thin pins and smaller bowling balls.