christingle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareReligious / British cultural
Quick answer
What does “christingle” mean?
A symbolic object used in a Christian church service, especially during Advent or Christmas, consisting of an orange decorated with a candle, a red ribbon, sweets on cocktail sticks, and often other decorations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A symbolic object used in a Christian church service, especially during Advent or Christmas, consisting of an orange decorated with a candle, a red ribbon, sweets on cocktail sticks, and often other decorations.
The name of the church service or ceremony itself in which the Christingle objects are made and blessed. It can also refer to the community event or celebration centered around this tradition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is essentially unknown in American English and the tradition is not practised in the United States. It is a specifically British (and to some extent Commonwealth) cultural-religious term.
Connotations
In the UK, it evokes childhood, church, community, Advent, charity (often associated with The Children's Society fundraising), and a specifically British form of Christmas celebration.
Frequency
Low frequency even in the UK, spiking in usage during the Advent period. Virtually zero frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “christingle” in a Sentence
[attend/have/hold] + a + christingle[make/create] + a + christingleThe + christingle + [is/was] + [blessed/held]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “christingle” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The christingle service is at four o'clock.
- She brought her christingle orange to show us.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Only in specific studies of British cultural or religious traditions.
Everyday
Used in the UK in December, primarily by families involved in church activities or school events with a church connection.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “christingle”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “christingle”
- Spelling: 'Christingle' is one word, not 'Christingle'.
- Using it as a general term for any Christmas decoration.
- Assuming it is a common word outside the UK/Commonwealth church context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily a British (and Commonwealth) tradition within churches, especially the Church of England.
The orange represents the world; the candle is the light of Christ; the red ribbon symbolises the blood of Christ; the sweets or dried fruits represent God's creations and the fruits of the earth.
They are typically held during Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, often in late November or December.
Usually not. It is a symbolic object, though the sweets on the cocktail sticks may be eaten after the service.
A symbolic object used in a Christian church service, especially during Advent or Christmas, consisting of an orange decorated with a candle, a red ribbon, sweets on cocktail sticks, and often other decorations.
Christingle is usually religious / british cultural in register.
Christingle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstɪŋɡ(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪstɪŋɡəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHRISTmas + INGLE (an old word for fire) = 'Christmas fire', referring to the candle on the orange.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS AN ORANGE (the orange represents the world; the candle is the light of Christ; the red ribbon symbolises his blood; the sweets/fruits represent God's creations).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'christingle' primarily?