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View synonyms for ignite

ignite

[ ig-nahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.
  1. to set on fire; kindle.
  2. Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.


verb (used without object)

, ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.
  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

“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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Derived Forms

  • igˈnitable, adjective
  • igˌnitaˈbility, noun
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Other Words From

  • 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) reignited reigniting
  • unig·nita·ble adjective
  • unig·nited adjective
  • unig·niting adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ignite1

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

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Example Sentences

In California, the Bear Fire, part of the North Complex Fire, burned more than 100,000 acres in 24 hours after igniting.

From Vox

The vast majority of wildfires in the United States are ignited by human sources — power lines, cigarette butts, machinery, or, in the case of one infamous recent fire, a gender reveal stunt.

From Vox

We know that even if California starts lighting prescribed fires at the rate we need to ignite them, our Septembers will be filled with smoke for the rest of our lives.

Now unusually strong winds are threatening to knock down power lines and ignite more wildfires, prompting the state’s largest utility to plan power cuts for more than 500,000 people.

From Fortune

Second, record-low interest rates ignited a historic boom in refinancing.

From Fortune

This regrettable action will, of course, ignite a racial gang war, leaving a heap of bodies in its wake.

The gold bugs and hard money types hated him because they believed the vast expansion in the money supply would ignite inflation.

El Zomor said his attempts to re-ignite talks between the army and the Brotherhood showed signs of progress.

Interactions on the beach ignite memories of her former lover.

A great work of fiction involves a certain frisson that occurs when its various components cohere and then ignite.

I tell you, from Lincolnshire to Sussex the country is like dry timber ready to ignite at a spark.

Steeped in petroleum, they might possibly ignite in a double-draught furnace, though I fancy they would put it out.

On Berlin itself, and the Mark of Brandenburg; there to collide, and ignite in a marvellous manner.

We purposed to ignite it with some dry grass, but as we only allowed ourselves one match that day, I trembled for the result.

He could thus stand a long way back out of harm's way and ignite the priming.

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ignis fatuusigniter