ignite

1 of 2

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

transitive verb

1

a

: to set afire

also : kindle

b

: to cause (a fuel) to burn

2

: to subject to fire or intense heat

especially : to render luminous by heat

3

a

: to heat up : excite

oppression that ignited the hatred of the people

b

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

intransitive verb

1

: to catch fire

2

: to begin to glow

ignitability

ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ignitable adjective

or less commonly ignitible

ig-ˈnī-tə-bəl 

igniter noun

or less commonly ignitor

ig-ˈnī-tər 

ignitability

2 of 2

noun

ig·​nit·​abil·​i·​ty

variants or less commonly ignitibility

(ˌ)igˌnītəˈbilətē

plural -es

: the quality or state of being ignitable

the ignitability of coal

Synonyms of ignite

Verb

• burn
• scorch
• light
• inflame
• fire

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

Verb

The fire was ignited by sparks.

The paper ignited on contact with sparks.

a material that ignites easily

Three wins in a row ignited the team.

His proposal is igniting opposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Continue reading … -- POLITICS BALLOT BOX DIVIDE — El-Sayed’s Jewish outreach ignites ‘tokenism’ fury as Michigan GOP chair makes bold prediction. — FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The flame was soon to ignite when both were cast in the 1937 film Fire Over England. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Her resistance ignites a conflict that exposes hidden secrets, shifting loyalties and traditions that have shaped the family for generations. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

His Vetements project — cofounded in 2014 with his brother Gurum Gvasalia — ignited a streetwear movement with oversize fashion designs, $800 hoodies and cool sneakers. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

First Known Use

Verb

1666, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing ignite

• self-ignite

Rhymes for ignite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

ignite

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

1

a

: to set on fire : light

b

: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn

2

: to catch fire

3

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

ignitable

-ˈnīt-ə-bəl

adjective

igniter noun

also ignitor

-ˈnīt-ər