Synonyms

kindling

American

[kind-ling] / ˈkɪnd lɪŋ /

noun

material that can be readily ignited, used in starting a fire.
the act of one who kindles. kindle.

kindling British

/ ˈkɪndlɪŋ /

noun

material for starting a fire, such as dry wood, straw, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

unkindling adjective

Etymology

Origin of kindling

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; kindle ¹, -ing ¹

Compare meaning

How does kindling compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

tinder vs. kindling

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.

We matter as much to him as a firestorm cares about kindling.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

In California, overgrown vegetation that turned to kindling amid record-breaking heat fueled the Park fire after it sparked in July.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2024

Every year, they brought in hundreds of goats to clear brush, which can be like kindling for any fire, throughout the community.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2024

Among the tasks: fabricating plastic Christmas trees, building garden sheds, ripping pallets into kindling, and sorting metal in the junkyard.

From Seattle Times • May 26, 2024

I made an early start to split kindling against the day we put up the school stove.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023