kindle

¹

[ kin-dl ]

verb (used with object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.

   Synonyms: light, fire

2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
3. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame:

   He kindled their hopes of victory.

   Synonyms: stimulate, incite, bestir, awaken, arouse

4. 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.
3. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

kindle

²

[ 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.

Kindle

¹

/ ˈkɪndəl /

noun

1. NEW.FOR.DICT.COM a portable electronic device for downloading and reading books

kindle

²

/ ˈkɪndəl /

verb

1. to set alight or start to burn
2. to arouse or be aroused

   the project kindled his interest

3. to make or become bright

Derived Forms

• ˈkindler, noun

Other Words From

• kindler noun

Word History and Origins

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; -le, kind ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindle¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Carlsen did try to strike, sacrificing a pawn earlier to kindle a nascent attack, led by his pair of bishops.

From FiveThirtyEight

That was the day I understood you could choose to kindle a crush.

From Outside Online

Everyone I talked to agrees that losing the spark that once kindled enjoyable sex is a real and distressing problem.

From Popular-Science

At the same time, the movements, true leadership, and solutions rising may kindle hope, courage, yearning, zeal.

From Time

The trauma of 2020 has kindled unparalleled disruptions in art, politics and social activism — not to mention science and health, which have been tested like never before.

From Ozy

There will be an issue of the New York Times and magazines, an iPhone and Kindle, metro cards and subway maintenance signs.

From The Daily Beast

You can download the Kindle App for free on your desktop or laptop computer, smart phone or tablet.

From The Daily Beast

Mostly now on kindle, because it's so much easier to read more than one book at the same time.

From The Daily Beast

If you want to kindle the memories of the war, you will find such reminders everywhere—even in the unlikeliest of places.

From The Daily Beast

They then kindle fire, ground corn, prepare dinner and lunch for the next day.

From The Daily Beast

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strong holds of Benadad.

From Project Gutenberg

Divine odours breathe from the body, which shines like gold amid the flames that refuse to kindle upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

Try to get her warm by covering her with care, and drawing her bed near the large fire which you must kindle immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

May we be of those who have worshipped Agni with the gift of offerings, who cause him to thrive and kindle him.

From Project Gutenberg

We the manly ones will kindle thee the manly god, O manly Agni, who shinest mightily.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arouse
• awaken
• foment
• inflame
• inspire
• provoke
• rouse
• sharpen
• stimulate
• stir
• whet
• work up