kindle
verb (used with object)
to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
Showing results for kindle.
Search instead for
Kindled.
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
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words for the High School Graduate
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
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
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 a colony was to be founded, the colonists carried with them coals from the hearth of the mother-city with which to kindle the fire on the new city’s hearth.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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
"A Kindle is a text device! There is no need for updates."
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026
Arise! ye sons of free-born sires; arise! your country save; Kindle again the wonted fires that animate the brave: Your heritage your foes menace—secure it from their foul embrace— Your chains asunder burst!
From Southern War Songs Camp-Fire, Patriotic and Sentimental 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
Whether or not you believe in magic, “A Boy Called Christmas” may be the rare Netflix fare that kindles the holiday spirit.
From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2021
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
Those who have witnessed the workings of a mob, know how swiftly, mysteriously, unreasonably, it kindles under certain influences.
From Out of a Labyrinth by Lawrence L. Lynch
Lena Bramsen, a 23-year-old editor in New York, said she thinks Gen Z’s experiences back then kindled a fascination for liminal content.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026
For some in Dandong, North Korea's tentative reopening kindled hope of returning home.
From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026
In Andrew’s case, any sizable number of individual conversations with the man would have kindled a wildfire of republicanism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026
A stint in Toronto kindled her desire to fly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2025
She thought that the dark might let her crawl close and free Gendry, but the guards kindled torches off the cookfire.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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
Adding kindling to the social media firestorm, other X users resurfaced previous clips of B. Simone noting that she preferred men who were entrepreneurs over those who worked 9-to-5 jobs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2025
Peter stirred the embers and added some kindling.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
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.
