ignite

[ig-nahyt]

verb (used with object)

ignited, igniting 

1. to set on fire; kindle.

2. Chemistry.,  to heat intensely; roast.

verb (used without object)

ignited, igniting 

1. to take fire; begin to burn.

ignite

/ ɪɡˈnaɪt /

verb

1. to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn

2. (tr) chem to heat strongly

3. (tr) to stimulate or provoke

   the case has ignited a nationwide debate

Other Word Forms

• ignitable adjective
• ignitible adjective
• ignitability noun
• ignitibility noun
• nonignitability noun
• nonignitable adjective
• nonignitibility noun
• nonignitible adjective
• reignite verb (used with object)
• unignitable adjective
• unignited adjective
• unigniting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignite¹

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

Synonym Study

See kindle ¹.

Example Sentences

Federal prosecutors sued Southern California Edison, saying its equipment ignited the 2019 Saddle Ridge fire, which burned nearly 9,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes in the San Fernando Valley.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And while it’s a work meant to entertain, the creators hope that it also ignites new curiosity in younger audiences, particularly those in Mexico and of Mexican descent elsewhere, to learn more about Indigenous peoples.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After he saw fellow Australian Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, the 11-year-old’s acting dreams ignited.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Eaton Fire, ignited the same day in the Los Angeles area, killed another 19 people and destroyed about 9,400 structures, officials said.

Read more on BBC

Similarly, the report into the January firestorms stressed that the Eaton blaze ignited near the end of a day that L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• burn 
• inflame 
• kindle