ignite

[ ig-nahyt ]

See synonyms for: ignite ignited igniting ignitable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.

to set on fire; kindle.
Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.

verb (used without object),ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.

to take fire; begin to burn.

Origin of ignite

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ignītus “set on fire,” past participle of ignīre “to set on fire,” from ign(is) “fire” + -īre, infinitive verb suffix

synonym study For ignite

1. See kindle¹.

Other words from ignite

ig·nit·a·ble, ig·nit·i·ble, adjective
ig·nit·a·bil·i·ty, ig·nit·i·bil·i·ty, noun
non·ig·nit·a·bil·i·ty, noun
non·ig·nit·a·ble, adjective
non·ig·nit·i·bil·i·ty, noun
non·ig·nit·i·ble, adjective
re·ig·nite, verb (used with object), re·ig·nit·ed, re·ig·nit·ing.
un·ig·nit·a·ble, adjective
un·ig·nit·ed, adjective
un·ig·nit·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ignite in a sentence

The rumors ignited last Thursday that Salesforce had interest in Slack.
As Slack acquisition rumors swirl, a look at Salesforce’s six biggest deals | Ron Miller | November 30, 2020 | TechCrunch
The pandemic has ignited much faster growth in food delivery as people avoid going out to eat.
Pros and cons of investing in 5 upcoming tech IPOs from Airbnb to Roblox | Aaron Pressman | November 25, 2020 | Fortune
That fire also ignited this year and was declared 100 percent contained in September.
Colorado is fighting its largest wildfire in history. Other massive blazes are close behind. | Umair Irfan | October 22, 2020 | Vox
Three of the four largest fires in Colorado history have ignited since July.
Colorado is fighting its largest wildfire in history. Other massive blazes are close behind. | Umair Irfan | October 22, 2020 | Vox
Graham’s decision to attack Harrison over his returns further ignited those calls.
Jaime Harrison Says He Feels ‘A Little Sad’ For Lindsey Graham | Hope Wright | September 17, 2020 | Essence.com

British Dictionary definitions for ignite

ignite

/ (ɪɡˈnaɪt) /

verb

to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn
(tr) chem to heat strongly

(tr) to stimulate or provoke: the case has ignited a nationwide debate

Origin of ignite

C17: from Latin ignīre to set alight, from ignis fire

Derived forms of ignite

ignitable or ignitible, adjective
ignitability or ignitibility, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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