Showing results for ignite. Search instead for ignitely.

Synonyms

ignite

American

[ig-nahyt] / ɪgˈnaɪt /

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to take fire; begin to burn.

ignite British

/ 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

"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

Synonym Usage

See kindle ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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

Explanation

Ignite is a verb that means to start heat or a flame. Trying to ignite a match inside a dark fireworks factory is a really bad idea — one that can get you blown sky high. The literal definition of ignite is to cause something to catch fire or burn. Dousing a house in gasoline and putting a lit match to the front door will surely cause the home to ignite. In its more figurative sense, ignite means to inspire intense feelings. A passionate kiss can ignite a fiery romance and a controversial speech can ignite fierce anger.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing ignite

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Elements of the Universe: Ign, Igni ("Fire")

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Chains

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

See Examples For:

ignite ignites ignited igniting

That loss has made way for invasive annual grasses that ignite more easily, increase erosion and leave less water to soak into aquifers, Barton said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

During severe droughts, these normally wet landscapes can dry enough to ignite.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

"El Nino does not ignite fires. It creates the dry conditions that allow human-started fires to escape and become very large," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Sep. 5, 2026

By far the biggest blast from the past comes when you turn said keyfob and ignite the turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

Her question was answered a moment later when a gout of flame shot from the machine, squirting across the river to ignite another patch of flowers.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

“When you see someone, and you’re excited, or you’re angry,” Suwinyattichaiporn said, “it ignites a similar part of the brain.”

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

The companies had asked Newsom to strengthen a framework that he and lawmakers created in 2019 to protect utilities from bankruptcy after their equipment ignites a catastrophic fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

What drives societal ills or ignites a social movement?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Shin may be trying to remove fuel before the room ignites on its own.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026

Before the moment ignites, I step in between the two of them.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

For mathematicians, the developments have raised existential questions—what do you do when you have devoted your life to problems that are now being picked off by AI?—and ignited a ferocious backlash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

It ignited near Ortega Highway and Gibby Road around 3 p.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

The 29,000-acre Plaskett fire ignited on Aug. 26 and was 1% contained as of Tuesday evening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

In late July, a brush-clearing operation ignited a fire that burned more than 100,000 acres, forcing 224,000 people to evacuate, including from the oceanside resort of Cap Ferret.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

As she turned back in to Farley’s, her comments ignited everyone in conversation again.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

They spend plenty of time visiting the “Real World: Boston” house where Duffy reconnects with his erstwhile housemate, Montana McGlynn, and next to none discussing Boston’s pivotal role in igniting the American Revolution.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

A former US Army soldier has been arrested after igniting a fire in front of a federal building in New York City, says the FBI.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

“The tinderbox looks increasingly close to igniting in full force.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026

The attacks struck logistics hubs of Wildberries—a Russian e-commerce company modeled on Amazon.com—in the Moscow and Tambov regions, igniting fires and forcing evacuations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

“You aren’t anybody anymore,” Ophie said, frustration and annoyance igniting her temper.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023