kindle
verb (used with object)
to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
kindle
1 American
[kin-dl]
/ ˈkɪn dl /
verb (used with object)
kindled,
kindling
verb (used without object)
kindled,
kindling
-
to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
-
to become aroused or animated.
-
to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.
kindle
2
American
[kin-dl]
/ ˈkɪn dl /
verb (used with object)
kindled,
kindling
verb (used without object)
kindled,
kindling
noun
-
kindles
plural
kindle
1
British
/ ˈkɪndəl /
verb
-
to set alight or start to burn
-
to arouse or be aroused
the project kindled his interest
-
to make or become bright
Kindle
2
British
/ ˈkɪndəl /
noun
Synonym Usage
Kindle, ignite, inflame literally mean to set something on fire. To kindle is to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively: to kindle logs; to kindle someone's interest. To ignite is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame; it too is often used figuratively: to ignite straw; to ignite dangerous hatreds. Inflame is most often used figuratively, meaning to intensify, excite, or rouse: to inflame passions.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of kindle1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) + -le ( def. )
Origin of kindle2
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English kindelen, verb use of kindel “offspring, young,” equivalent to kind- ( Old English gecynd “offspring”) + -el; see -le, kind 2
Explanation
When you start a fire burning, you can say you kindle the fire. Knowing how to kindle a campfire is an important survival skill. It can help keep you warm at night, and keep you from eating cold beans for dinner. The verb kindle not only means to start a fire, but also to catch fire. Another meaning for kindle is to arouse interest or passion. A dynamic music teacher could kindle the students' interest in learning an instrument. Or, romance can also be kindled: "As they danced together, a spark of romance kindled between them."
Vocabulary lists containing kindle
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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:
No sooner does Steinem kindle the flame of what might be a good story than she douses it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
The Times’ Bill Shaikin has pointed out that geographical realignment would be tied to schedule reform that could help kindle rivalries and encourage fans to visit opposing ballparks that are within driving distance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2025
Hawken hopes to mend that separation by helping people discover the flow of carbon in their daily lives and kindle a sense of wonder about it.
From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2025
“That’s a very statesmanlike response, and a reason to kindle hope, if he hadn’t said it directly into a scoop of mint chip.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2024
Churchill liked to play martial music while he prepared speeches, the better to kindle that vital emotion in himself that he hoped to communicate to the crowd.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
The new devices can run Google apps like Gmail, Docs and YouTube – a feature absent from Amazon’s prior tablets – in addition to built-in Amazon apps like Prime Video and Kindle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
"It attracts more attention to have a wonderful cover than a Kindle," said Nogueira.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Amazon was pressuring publishers to digitize their backlists for the imminent launch of Kindle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Adoption of e-readers like the Kindle and Kobo didn’t replace physical books; and despite the shuttering of mass-market chains like Borders, Waldenbooks and B. Dalton, the last 30 years have seen a reading boom.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
Kindle, kin′dl, v.t. to set fire to: to light: to inflame, as the passions: to provoke: to excite to action.—v.i. to take fire: to begin to be excited: to be roused.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Tanton kindles a small fire of twigs inside a metal pitcher, while expounding for the camera about ecology and overpopulation.
From Salon ● Nov. 14, 2024
And so Byrne, with no one to listen to, kindles into speech.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2022
When he meets a young rising superstar, their relationship kindles a newfound competitive fire in him, but it risks throwing her off her game.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 13, 2022
Clowders of cats — and kindles of kittens — are drearily cliche, but cat chowder was a delightful — if unintended — bit of comic relief.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 13, 2018
I have not found that fire which kindles your looks, and which I have sometimes fancied I found there.
From Napoleon's Letters to Josephine by Henry Foljambe Hall
And after rapper Aitch came on the channel, rumours circulated it had kindled a real-life relationship, although neither ever confirmed this.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Meghan and Prince Harry kindled a romance in 2016 at that year’s edition of his veteran-centered Invictus Games, held in Orlando.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Paine’s “Common Sense” had been published in January that year and had kindled the cause of independence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
Milei’s post-midterms victory speech kindled hope for less chain saw and more coalition building over the next two years, Stock says.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2025
The cliff towered into the night, the countless stars were kindled, the wind blew cold, and the doors stood fast.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Wildfires are raging across southwestern Europe after prolonged, record-setting heat waves and low rainfall effectively turned the region’s vegetation into kindling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
An ash tree in my yard dropped a limb and reduced my fence to kindling.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026
We matter as much to him as a firestorm cares about kindling.
From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2026
“Surveillance footage shows a suspect collecting rubbish from a public trash can, also collecting wood for kindling and placing it near the base of a power pole,” said Scott, describing the Oct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2024
“Use the juniper sparingly,” he said after peeking in my kindling barrel.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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.
