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 

igniter

2 of 2

noun

ig·​nit·​er

variants or ignitor

-ītə(r) 

plural -s

: one that ignites: such as

a

: a charge usually of black gunpowder used to facilitate the ignition of a propelling charge and sometimes of a bursting charge

b

: a device for igniting fuel mixture (as in an internal-combustion engine, a jet engine, or a rocket engine)

c

: a separately energized electrode used for restriking the arc in an ignitron

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

The fire ignited while a wide swath of Southern California is under a heat advisory that will extend until Tuesday, sending regional temperatures into the 90s and triple digits Thursday. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Walker was also one of a number of Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their hats during San Francisco’s Pride Night in June, igniting a controversy that has engulfed the franchise for nearly a month. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Amid widespread severe drought and sweltering temperatures, hundreds of firefighters are battling to contain multiple wildfires that have ignited in France, destroying homes and prompting thousands of evacuations, authorities said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 July 2026

The Americans cruised through group play and the round of 32, igniting hope of a deep run. — Washington Post, 8 July 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