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

Ousmane Dieng made a 3-pointer before Kolek scored again to ignite another 10-0 run, and Brunson and Anunoby ended the half with consecutive 3-pointers to make it 58-34. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

How a crackdown on immigrant drivers ignited an Indian food frenzy — at California truck stops. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Keri Ingle ignited her base and got people out there knocking and telling her priorities and her story. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

Returning from an ankle injury sustained against South Carolina, Clark had a 13-yard run that helped ignite Florida’s only touchdown drive. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

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