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.
Synonyms of combustible
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
Fire officials recommend keeping heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible and never leaving them running unattended.
—
Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Even so, the Garland Fire Department used the opportunity to remind residents to prioritize kitchen fire safety by keeping combustible items — including paper towels, dish towels, food packaging, and plastic containers — away from stovetops and, if necessary, investing in safety stove knob covers.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The department reminded residents to keep combustible items like paper towels or plastic containers off stovetops, to always turn off burners and ovens, to never leave cooking unattended and to keep the area clutter-free.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Carbon Monoxide Detector This four-in-one detector not only reads carbon monoxide on the road but also detects other combustible, explosive gases, like LPG (methane), propane, and natural gas.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
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Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Even so, the Garland Fire Department used the opportunity to remind residents to prioritize kitchen fire safety by keeping combustible items — including paper towels, dish towels, food packaging, and plastic containers — away from stovetops and, if necessary, investing in safety stove knob covers.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The department reminded residents to keep combustible items like paper towels or plastic containers off stovetops, to always turn off burners and ovens, to never leave cooking unattended and to keep the area clutter-free.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Carbon Monoxide Detector This four-in-one detector not only reads carbon monoxide on the road but also detects other combustible, explosive gases, like LPG (methane), propane, and natural gas.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
Cite this Entry
“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
1
: capable of being burned
2
: catching fire or burning easily
combustible
noun
Medical Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
: capable of combustion
combustible anesthetics
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