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

• burn
• enkindle
• fire
• inflame
• enflame
• kindle
• light
• torch

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

For starters, the moon will renew itself in Sagittarius on Dec. 1, igniting your seventh house of agreements, commitments and one-on-one partnerships. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Dec. 2024

The new moon in Sagittarius on December 1 could also ignite fresh inspiration for your creative projects and personal passions and remind you that not all achievements are work related. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2024

Officials lifted evacuation warnings as firefighters made some progress containing a wildfire near the Jurupa Valley that ignited Thanksgiving Day. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024

Peel and stick formats that are helping to ignite the wallpaper trend are designed to deliver style on a temporary basis – ideal for renters and trend followers. —Jamie Gold, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

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

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