kindle

1 of 2

verb (1)

kin·​dle ˈkin-dᵊl 

kindled; kindling ˈkin(d)-liŋ 

ˈkin-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to start (a fire) burning : light

using dry twigs to kindle a fire

2

a

: to stir up : arouse

kindle a child's interest in art

b

: to bring into being : start

3

: to cause to glow : illuminate

animation kindling his pale face

—A. J. Cronin

intransitive verb

1

: to catch fire : begin to burn

waiting for the fire to kindle

2

a

: to flare up

… their mutual resentment again kindled …

—Edward Gibbon

b

: to become animated

no boy will fail to kindle to the struggles of his California youth

—Ethna Sheehan

3

: to become illuminated

light kindled in the liquor

—Frances G. Patton

kindler

ˈkin(d)-lər 

ˈkin-dᵊl-ər

noun

kindle

2 of 2

verb (2)

kindled; kindling

transitive verb

: bear sense 3a

—used especially of a rabbit

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

—used especially of a rabbit

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• burn
• ignite
• light
• fire
• torch
• scorch

Examples of kindle in a Sentence

Verb (1)

worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025

Everything in the store is kindling, and the metal shelving hems in what’s becoming a human fire-pit. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025

If the Golden State can’t find ways to move more quickly toward climate-friendly energy, then the oppressively hot, dry conditions that kindle deadly fires will almost certainly keep getting worse. Bringing down electric rates, meanwhile, is crucial to climate progress. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, probably modification of Old Norse kynda; akin to Old High German cuntesal fire

Verb (2)

Middle English, from kindle young animal, probably from kinde, noun, kind

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for kindle

• brindle
• dwindle
• grindal
• grindle
• spindle
• swindle
• windle
• rekindle

Kids Definition

kindle

verb

kin·​dle

ˈkin-dᵊl

kindled; kindling

-(d)liŋ,

-dᵊl-iŋ

1

: to set on fire or take fire : light

2

: to stir up : excite

trying to kindle their interest

Medical Definition

kindle

intransitive verb

kin·​dle ˈkin-dᵊl 

kindled; kindling

: to bring forth young

—used chiefly of a rabbit