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tinderbox

American

[tin-der-boks] / ˈtɪn dərˌbɒks /

noun

a box for holding tinder, usually fitted with a flint and steel.
a person or thing that is highly excitable, explosive, inflammable, etc.; a potential source of widespread violence.

Berlin was the tinderbox of Europe.

tinderbox British

/ ˈtɪndəˌbɒks /

noun

a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel
a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive

"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

Etymology

Origin of tinderbox

First recorded in 1520–30; tinder + box ¹

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.

See Examples For:

tinderbox

He said the country was a "tinderbox" and warned the coming weekend could be difficult, while promising extra support for emergency services.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Describing Britain as "a tinderbox" with 37 blazes nationwide on Friday, the prime minister warned against lighting fires outdoors, as the government introduced a ban on selling disposable barbecue equipment.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Now that tinderbox is going up in flames.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

“The tinderbox looks increasingly close to igniting in full force.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026

Rowan gathered them together, found Jonn's tinderbox, and managed to light a fire.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

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