combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl 

1

: capable of combustion

combustible materials, such as paper, leaves, and sawdust

combustible gases

2

: easily excited

a combustible temper

The coach had to keep the combustible players under control.

combustibility

kəm-ˌbə-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

combustible noun

combustibly

kəm-ˈbə-stə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• explosive
• ignitable
• combustive
• flammable
• inflammable
• fiery

Examples of combustible in a Sentence

The fuel is highly combustible.

don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic

Recent Examples on the Web

That combustible set-up blew up in the faces of the bears who needed nothing short of a Powell decrying everything Trump, not realizing that Powell favors two wonderful factors: honesty and truth. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025

De Zerbi’s outbursts, which are often echoed by comparably provocative public pronouncements by Benatia, seem designed to keep the notoriously combustible club living in a permanent state of heightened tension. —Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025

The same tactic allowed Dodgers relievers, who’d been combustible lately, to close it out. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

Drier plants make more combustible fuel for wildfires. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin combustibilis, from Latin combustus (past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, combust") + -ibilis -ible

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for combustible

• adjustable
• incombustible
• noncombustible

Kids Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being burned

2

: catching fire or burning easily

combustibility

-ˌbəs-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

combustible noun

Medical Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

: capable of combustion

combustible anesthetics