cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər 

1

: the slag from a metal furnace : dross

2

a

cinders plural : ashes

b

: a fragment of ash

3

a

: a partly burned combustible in which fire is extinct

b

: a hot coal without flame

c

: a partly burned coal capable of further burning without flame

4

: a fragment of lava from an erupting volcano

cindery

ˈsin-d(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of cinder in a Sentence

Cinders from the campfire floated through the air.

Recent Examples on the Web

Red-orange cinders dropped across the skylight, followed by bursts of flame. — Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

Some rested on cinder parking blocks while others stood under a large metal awning outside the office. — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025

Sheets of flame, crumbling brick, a spiraling murmuration of cinders. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

The line features three styles—a pair of boxer shorts, a brief and a boxer brief—each available in the clay, shale and cinder colorways, $38 a pop. — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sinder, from Old English; akin to Old High German sintar dross, slag, Serbian & Croatian sedra calcium carbonate

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cinder

• burn to a cinder
• cinder block
• cinder cone

Rhymes for cinder

• hinder
• linder
• tinder
• winder

Kids Definition

cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər 

1

: slag

2

a

: a piece of partly burned coal or wood

b

: a hot coal without flame

3

: a piece of lava from an erupting volcano

cindery

-d(ə-)rē 

adjective