smoulder

[smohl-der]

verb (used without object)

1. smolder.

smoulder

/ ˈsməʊldə /

verb

1. to burn slowly without flame, usually emitting smoke

2. (esp of anger, etc) to exist in a suppressed or half-suppressed state

3. to have strong repressed or half repressed feelings, esp anger

noun

1. dense smoke, as from a smouldering fire

2. a smouldering fire

Other Word Forms

• unsmouldering adjective
• unsmoulderingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of smoulder¹

C14: from smolder (n), of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Rescue workers were clambering over the rubble – some of it was still smouldering.

From BBC

Terence Stamp's dashing good looks and smouldering glare made him a star of 1960s cinema.

From BBC

The scale of destruction and killing in the Gaza war obscures what is happening in the West Bank, which smoulders with tension and violence.

From BBC

Same venue, more needle, this time between England and India, sparked on Saturday evening and smouldering across the following two days.

From BBC

A building on the site of what was believed to be Manchester's oldest mill is now a smouldering ruin after a major fire.

From BBC

Related Words

• blaze 
• boil 
• rage