kindle

[ kin-dl ]

See synonyms for kindle 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.

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.

Origin of kindle

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

1	fire, light
3	arouse, awaken, bestir, incite, stimulate, fire up

See synonyms for kindle on Thesaurus.com

Other words from kindle

kindler, noun

Other definitions for kindle (2 of 2)

kindle²

[ kin-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

First recorded in1175–1225; 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

How to use kindle in a sentence

Come out from behind your Kindles, and sing your love of Christian Grey from the rooftops.
Jimmy Fallon, Ellen DeGeneres, and more ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Parodies | Sara Gilford | July 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
And with iPads and Kindles to carry, a good man-bag is quickly becoming a fashion necessity.
Rise of the Man Purse | Isabel Wilkinson | October 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
In our world of ebooks, Nooks, and Kindles, Bolaño seems quaint.
Steal This Book | Rachel Shteir | July 5, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
We hear that President Obama and his people have been fattening their Kindles with downloaded FDR 100-day histories.
Making the Stimulus Sexy | Adam Hanft | February 21, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Horror melts to pity,And pity kindles to adoring showerOf radiant tears!
The Saint's Tragedy | Charles Kingsley

He who kindles the fire shall perform the Dospinda: but her own son, or nearest relations, must perform the Shraddha.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II | Francis Augustus Cox
Conversation brings out all her faculties, and kindles all her sensibilities, and gives expression to her deepest sentiments.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VII | John Lord
It kindles a healthy enthusiasm, promotes good-nature, repels pretension, and rebukes vanity.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VII | John Lord
A dazzling sun kindles up this landscape, which is one of incredible splendour.
The Desert World | Arthur Mangin

British Dictionary definitions for kindle (1 of 2)

kindle

/ (ˈkɪndəl) /

verb

to set alight or start to burn
to arouse or be aroused: the project kindled his interest

to make or become bright

Origin of kindle

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

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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