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kindle

1
[ kin-dl ]
/ ˈkÉȘn dl /
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See synonyms for: kindle / kindled / kindling on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), kin·dled, kin·dling.
to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame: He kindled their hopes of victory.
to light up, illuminate, or make bright: Happiness kindled her eyes.
verb (used without object), kin·dled, kin·dling.
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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 FROM kindle

kindler, noun

Words nearby kindle

kinda, kindergarten, kindergartner, kindhearted, kindjal, kindle, kindless, kindliness, kindling, kindly, kindness

Other definitions for kindle (2 of 2)

kindle2
[ kin-dl ]
/ ˈkÉȘn dl /
verb (used with object), kin·dled, kin·dling.
(of animals, especially rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).
verb (used without object), kin·dled, kin·dling.
(of animals, especially rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.
noun
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. 2023

Words related to kindle

ignite, inflame, arouse, awaken, foment, inspire, provoke, rouse, sharpen, stimulate, stir, whet, work up, blaze, burn, fire, flame, flare, glow, light

How to use kindle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kindle (1 of 2)

kindle
/ (ˈkÉȘndəl) /
verb
to set alight or start to burn
to arouse or be arousedthe project kindled his interest
to make or become bright

Derived forms of kindle

kindler, noun

Word Origin for kindle

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

British Dictionary definitions for kindle (2 of 2)

Kindle
/ (ˈkÉȘndəl) /
noun
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
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