ignite

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 

Synonyms of ignite

• burn
• scorch
• light
• inflame
• fire

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

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

The standoff ignited the first battle of the Texas Revolution, cementing Gonzales as a symbol of defiance and pride. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025

Many models include faux logs or glass media for a more traditional feel, and the flames ignite instantly. —Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

Nearly 150 people were killed in a massive fire at a Hong Kong apartment complex, officials said, as investigators found more bodies on Sunday, days after the Wednesday blaze ignited, the Associated Press reported. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Four Cal Fire firefighters trying to save a mobile home ended up seriously injured a few hours after the blaze ignited. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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