smolder

or smoul·der

[ smohl-der ]

verb (used without object)

1. to burn without flame; undergo slow or suppressed combustion.
2. to exist or continue in a suppressed state or without outward demonstration:

   Hatred smoldered beneath a polite surface.

3. to display repressed feelings, as of indignation, anger, or the like:

   to smolder with rage.

noun

1. dense smoke resulting from slow or suppressed combustion.
2. a smoldering fire.

smolder

/ ˈsməʊldə /

verb

1. See smoulder
   the US spelling of smoulder

Other Words From

• un·smolder·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of smolder¹

1275–1325; (noun) Middle English smolder smoky vapor, dissimilated variant of smorther smother; (v.) Middle English (as present participle smolderende ), derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

He is a very attractive man with a very nice chiseled jaw and a very pleasant smolder.

From The Daily Beast

This imagery shows SAF troops on the scene as huts smolder in the aftermath of their assault.

From The Daily Beast

The embers of guilt over the entire episode are placed deep within Hilly, where it will smolder for the rest of his life.

From The Daily Beast

Nevertheless, it continues to smolder away in Chicago, posing a potential threat to the Obama administration.

From The Daily Beast

Arson…Whole streets of tenements and warehouses abandoned to smolder.

From The Daily Beast

It was a brief task to gather the wood and then Ross and Shif'less Sol lighted the fire, which they permitted merely to smolder.

From Project Gutenberg

When the cooking was finished the logs were drawn back a few inches and the fire went down to coals, but continued to smolder.

From Project Gutenberg

He had known how to light a fire that would smolder long enough for him to get away.

From Project Gutenberg

The stump will burn and smolder to the end of the roots, leaving nothing but ashes.

From Project Gutenberg

On the narrow beach, with its background of new growth, smolder the dying embers of a camp-fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boil
• erupt
• explode
• fester
• seethe