ignite
Americanverb (used with object)
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to set on fire; kindle.
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Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn
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(tr) chem to heat strongly
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(tr) to stimulate or provoke
the case has ignited a nationwide debate
Synonym Usage
See kindle 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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ignitibilitynoun
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ignitibleadjective
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unignitableadjective
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nonignitibilitynoun
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unignitingadjective
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ignitableadjective
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reigniteverb (used with object)
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nonignitabilitynoun
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nonignitibleadjective
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unignitedadjective
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ignitabilitynoun
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nonignitableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have ignitedperfect
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has ignitedperfect 3rd person singular
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am ignitingprogressive 1st person singular
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are ignitingprogressive
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is ignitingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been ignitingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been ignitingperfect progressive
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ignitingparticiple
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ignitessingular 3rd person
Past
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had ignitedperfect
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were ignitingprogressive plural
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had been ignitingperfect progressive
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was ignitingprogressive singular
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ignitedsimple
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ignitedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of ignite
First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ignītus “set on fire,” past participle of ignīre “to set on fire,” from ign(is) “fire” + -īre, infinitive verb suffix
Explanation
Ignite is a verb that means to start heat or a flame. Trying to ignite a match inside a dark fireworks factory is a really bad idea — one that can get you blown sky high. The literal definition of ignite is to cause something to catch fire or burn. Dousing a house in gasoline and putting a lit match to the front door will surely cause the home to ignite. In its more figurative sense, ignite means to inspire intense feelings. A passionate kiss can ignite a fiery romance and a controversial speech can ignite fierce anger.
Vocabulary lists containing ignite
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Elements of the Universe: Ign, Igni ("Fire")
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Chains
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Such toppling energy may be necessary for Ionesco’s vision to spontaneously ignite into antic life.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
The clustering of short positions presents “a dormant risk of a bullish short-covering” although “it may require a bullish catalyst to ignite upside potential,” he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
Another put it like this: "The PLP is like a tinderbox – it might just ignite in May."
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026
Those launches helped ignite strong interest in the category among Chinese consumers.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
Her question was answered a moment later when a gout of flame shot from the machine, squirting across the river to ignite another patch of flowers.
From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
