to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
to become aroused or animated.
to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.
to set alight or start to burn
to arouse or be aroused
the project kindled his interest
to make or become bright
Kindle, ignite, inflame literally mean to set something on fire. To kindle is to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively: to kindle logs; to kindle someone's interest. To ignite is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame; it too is often used figuratively: to ignite straw; to ignite dangerous hatreds. Inflame is most often used figuratively, meaning to intensify, excite, or rouse: to inflame passions.
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) + -le ( def. )
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English kindelen, verb use of kindel “offspring, young,” equivalent to kind- ( Old English gecynd “offspring”) + -el; see -le, kind 2
When you start a fire burning, you can say you kindle the fire. Knowing how to kindle a campfire is an important survival skill. It can help keep you warm at night, and keep you from eating cold beans for dinner. The verb kindle not only means to start a fire, but also to catch fire. Another meaning for kindle is to arouse interest or passion. A dynamic music teacher could kindle the students' interest in learning an instrument. Or, romance can also be kindled: "As they danced together, a spark of romance kindled between them."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They helped kindle a Revolution and forge a nation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
The Times’ Bill Shaikin has pointed out that geographical realignment would be tied to schedule reform that could help kindle rivalries and encourage fans to visit opposing ballparks that are within driving distance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2025
The Club World Cup may have had a lukewarm reception in some parts during the group stages, but Manchester City did their best to kindle interest with a statement victory over Juventus on Thursday.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2025
Hawken hopes to mend that separation by helping people discover the flow of carbon in their daily lives and kindle a sense of wonder about it.
From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2025
They were at the woodpile, gathering a pan of chips to kindle the fire in the morning.
From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Amazon's Kindle has its own version: "Ask this Book," described as an "expert reading assistant" that answers questions about plot and characters "without disrupting your reading flow."
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Adoption of e-readers like the Kindle and Kobo didn’t replace physical books; and despite the shuttering of mass-market chains like Borders, Waldenbooks and B. Dalton, the last 30 years have seen a reading boom.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
Kay Aaronicks, 46, told the BBC she was surprised by Amazon's announcement - and by the sadness that came with the thought of potentially losing full use of her 14-year-old Kindle.
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026
When I was a kid, packing for sleepaway camp, I’d load up a Kindle with books to avoid stuffing my duffels even more.
From Slate ● Mar. 8, 2026
Can ebook readers like Sony Reader and Kindle really compete with cellphones and smartphones?
From Booknology: The eBook (1971-2010) by Lebert, Marie
Tanton kindles a small fire of twigs inside a metal pitcher, while expounding for the camera about ecology and overpopulation.
From Salon ● Nov. 14, 2024
And so Byrne, with no one to listen to, kindles into speech.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2022
When he meets a young rising superstar, their relationship kindles a newfound competitive fire in him, but it risks throwing her off her game.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 13, 2022
Even today, after decades of air travel that dehumanizes passengers, Saarinen’s structure elicits delight and kindles old hopes.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 12, 2019
And the blaze of the Son of Justice Lights up that dim old spot, And kindles in every spirit A flame that dieth not!
From Donahoe's Magazine, Vol. XV, No. 4, April, 1886 Volume 15 (January 1886 - July 1886) by Various
The ultralow rates, along with other government stimuli and zero-commission trades, kindled a new generation’s interest in the markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 13, 2026
Milei’s post-midterms victory speech kindled hope for less chain saw and more coalition building over the next two years, Stock says.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2025
Speaking at her late husband’s memorial service on Sept. 21, Erika Kirk said Charlie’s death had kindled a spiritual renewal for many of his followers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025
A stint in Toronto kindled her desire to fly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2025
As the pyre was kindled, on a rocky height above it a woman appeared.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
A history of fire suppression and bans on indigenous cultural burning has also allowed more kindling to accumulate on the forest floor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
An ash tree in my yard dropped a limb and reduced my fence to kindling.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026
We matter as much to him as a firestorm cares about kindling.
From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2026
It was the excess on show on the social media accounts of politicians' children that provided the kindling for Nepal's Gen Z uprising last year.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
That for stealing pumpkins from a field, and for kindling a fire in a dwelling they three shall be seated in the stocks from one hour before the Lecture till one hour after.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
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.
