kindle

1
[ kin-dl ]
See synonyms for: kindlekindledkindling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),kin·dled, kin·dling.
  1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.

  2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).

  1. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame: He kindled their hopes of victory.

  2. to light up, illuminate, or make bright: Happiness kindled her eyes.

verb (used without object),kin·dled, kin·dling.
  1. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.

  2. to become aroused or animated.

  1. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

Origin of kindle

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) + -le

synonym study For kindle

1-3. 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 words for kindle

Other words from kindle

  • kindler, noun

Words Nearby kindle

Other definitions for kindle (2 of 2)

kindle2
[ kin-dl ]

verb (used with object),kin·dled, kin·dling.
  1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).

verb (used without object),kin·dled, kin·dling.
  1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.

noun
  1. a litter of kittens, rabbits, etc.

Origin of kindle

2
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English kindelen, verb use of kindel “offspring, young,” equivalent to kind- (Old English gecynd “offspring”) + -el; see -le, kind2

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use kindle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kindle (1 of 2)

kindle

/ (ˈkɪndəl) /


verb
  1. to set alight or start to burn

  2. to arouse or be aroused: the project kindled his interest

  1. to make or become bright

Origin of kindle

1
C12: from Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kyndill candle

Derived forms of kindle

  • kindler, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Kindle (2 of 2)

Kindle

/ (ˈkɪndəl) /


noun
  1. trademark a portable electronic device for downloading and reading books

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