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

Most include decks or private patios with firepits ignited by the turn of a switch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

This allows the rocket motor to ignite different segments on command to provide precise maneuvering and even for the missile to coast and then restart later in flight, which greatly extends its range. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Guyette and his colleagues increasingly suspected that fires were not natural but anthropogenic—ignited by people. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

The airport was attacked again Sunday, igniting a fireand killing one person and injuring 11, Saudi aviation authorities said. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 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