ignite
Americanverb (used with object)
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to set on fire; kindle.
-
Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.
verb (used without object)
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
Related Words
See kindle 1.
Other Word Forms
- ignitability noun
- ignitable adjective
- ignitibility noun
- ignitible adjective
- nonignitability noun
- nonignitable adjective
- nonignitibility noun
- nonignitible adjective
- reignite verb (used with object)
- unignitable adjective
- unignited adjective
- unigniting adjective
Etymology
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
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.
In 2019, PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection to shield itself from tens of billions of dollars in potential liabilities after fires ignited by its grid killed more than 100 people.
From Los Angeles Times
"Officers swiftly attended the scene and found that a gas canister on the site had ignited and subsequently exploded," the spokesperson said.
From BBC
The gig started as a one-time guest role but “ignited a fan hysteria so intense,” Falchuk said, that the show was rewritten to make Dane a leading man.
From Los Angeles Times
“The fact that we’re shooting in L.A., it’s certainly ignited a flame for a lot of agents and managers in town hoping to get their clients working here,” Roberts said.
From Los Angeles Times
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said the fire was caused by an air fryer igniting nearby objects.
From BBC
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.
