kindle
verb (used with object)
to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
kindle
1 American
[kin-dl]
/ ˈkɪn dl /
verb (used with object)
kindled,
kindling
verb (used without object)
kindled,
kindling
-
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.
kindle
2
American
[kin-dl]
/ ˈkɪn dl /
verb (used with object)
kindled,
kindling
verb (used without object)
kindled,
kindling
noun
-
kindles
plural
kindle
1
British
/ ˈkɪndəl /
verb
-
to set alight or start to burn
-
to arouse or be aroused
the project kindled his interest
-
to make or become bright
Kindle
2
British
/ ˈkɪndəl /
noun
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of kindle1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) + -le ( def. )
Origin of kindle2
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
Explanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing kindle
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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.
See Examples For:
No sooner does Steinem kindle the flame of what might be a good story than she douses it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
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
Nia Gachon, who has lived in Nantes for 18 years, said the arrival of Welsh people in the city will kindle interest in historical links.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2023
If that doesn’t kindle at least a bit of fear and empathy in your heart, you’re either a mogul or a trust fund baby who has never struggled to pay the bills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2023
Overhead, I hear the trilling of birds calling to one another as they roost for the night and see glowing lights kindle in hollow knotholes as sprites come awake.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
So I’ll read a physical book or my Kindle or put on a show that I’ve seen 1,000 times if I just need something to fall asleep.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Amazon was pressuring publishers to digitize their backlists for the imminent launch of Kindle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
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
Kindle, kin′dl, v.t. to set fire to: to light: to inflame, as the passions: to provoke: to excite to action.—v.i. to take fire: to begin to be excited: to be roused.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
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
Clowders of cats — and kindles of kittens — are drearily cliche, but cat chowder was a delightful — if unintended — bit of comic relief.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 13, 2018
And the Sterling-Risa romance kindles with a slow dance to a jukebox tune.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2018
With him the love of glory kindles into a burning passion; and to allay its cravings, he will dare cold and famine, fire, tempest, torture, and death itself.
From The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the Conquest of Canada by Francis Parkman
And after rapper Aitch came on the channel, rumours circulated it had kindled a real-life relationship, although neither ever confirmed this.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Meghan and Prince Harry kindled a romance in 2016 at that year’s edition of his veteran-centered Invictus Games, held in Orlando.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
At a series of other events, the gracious and glad-handing presence of the 77-year-old king, who peppered remarks with lighthearted jokes, also kindled a spirit of fellow-feeling among ordinarily divided American politicians.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026
A gift of screenwriting software from girlfriend Zinzi -- now his wife, production partner and mother of their three children -- further kindled his ambition.
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
A few torches were kindled and cast a dim light on the glistening walls.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
But in those circumstances, short sellers provide dry kindling for a conflagration because when the stock jumps, they race to buy it at any price and return borrowed shares.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 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
In the middle of the bridge stood the pyre—a huge pile of logs, kindling, and hay.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
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