combustible

[kuhm-buhs-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of catching fire and burning; inflammable; flammable.

   Gasoline vapor is highly combustible.

2. easily excited.

   a high-strung, combustible nature.

noun

1. a combustible substance.

   Trucks carrying combustibles will not be allowed to use this tunnel.

combustible

/ kəmˈbʌstəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of igniting and burning

2. easily annoyed; excitable

noun

1. a combustible substance

Other Word Forms

• combustibility noun
• combustibly adverb
• combustibleness noun
• uncombustible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of combustible¹

From the Late Latin word combūstibilis, dating back to 1520–30. See combust, -ible

Example Sentences

There was to be a new and bigger English audience to see what the Welsh public had already witnessed: his evolution from a combustible, confrontational player to a controlled, deep-thinking coach.

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“What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!” according to the film’s official synopsis.

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Podcasters and YouTubers with huge followings are offering a combustible mix of news and speculation about gang violence across Los Angeles.

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Indeed, Valachovic notes that lobbyists and researchers for insurance companies have been frequent contributors to the testimony about the proposal, arguing strongly in favor of removing all combustible materials near homes.

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"Impact areas" are constructed with fire breaks, such as stone tracks, around them to prevent the wider spread of fire and grazing is used to keep the amount of combustible vegetation down.

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Related Words

• fiery 
• flammable 
• incendiary 
• volatile