cremate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to reduce (a dead body) to ashes by fire, especially as a funeral rite.
-
to consume by fire; burn.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
crematesimple
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crematessimple
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have crematedperfect
-
has crematedperfect
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am crematingprogressive
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are crematingprogressive
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is crematingprogressive
-
have been crematingperfect progressive
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has been crematingperfect progressive
Past
-
crematedsimple
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had crematedperfect
-
was crematingprogressive
-
were crematingprogressive
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had been crematingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of cremate
First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin cremātus, past participle of cremāre “to burn to ashes”; see -ate 1
Explanation
When you cremate something, you burn it until only ashes are left. The word cremate is most often used to describe the ceremonial burning of dead bodies. If you burn a grilled cheese sandwich and there is nothing but black ashes left in the pan, you can say you cremated it. Usually, however, people use the verb cremate when they're talking about a practical or ceremonial burning of a body. Many people are cremated after dying, with their ashy remains either buried or scattered in a beautiful place. The Latin root word is cremare, "to burn or consume by fire."
Vocabulary lists containing cremate
The Devil's Arithmetic
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Bridge to Terabithia
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Mockingbird
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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.
Wellman, owner of Sorrento Valley Pet Cemetery, stepped in to offer to cremate the remaining bodies, and says Angel Paws’ operation was “disorganized and unprofessional.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025
The company would cremate the parts of his body that weren't used and return his ashes free of charge.
From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025
Those who opt to bury or cremate on their own pay a funeral home.
From Slate • Oct. 3, 2024
"I've paid £130 to cremate someone else's cat," she said.
From BBC • Sep. 6, 2024
To incinerate is to reduce to ashes; the sense differs little from that of cremate, but it is in less popular use.
From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin
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.
