smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər 

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke

b

: to be consumed by smoldering

—often used with out

2

: to exist in a state of suppressed activity

hostilities smoldered for years

3

: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy

eyes smoldering with hate

Examples of smolder in a Sentence

The remains of the campfire smoldered.

Her eyes smoldered with anger.

Anger smoldered in my heart.

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of the town’s skyline had transformed from rooftops and leafy trees to smoldering rubble and stand-alone chimneys. —Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

He's perfected the look of paranoia that motivates his quick change from baseball-cap casual to 007-ready suit, but would an agent who thinks his cover is blown stop to smolder at the camera? —Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, in smoldering Scorpio, the love planet isn’t fond of anything surface-level, as this Venus placement wants depth, devotion and nothing short of soul-barring intimacy. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

This week, Carly Pearce gets vulnerable about the sacrifices often required to chase the dream of being in the spotlight, while Kashus Culpepper returns with smoldering track about heartbreak and denial. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for smolder

• bolder
• bowlder
• colder
• folder
• golder
• holder
• molder
• moulder
• older
• polder
• shoulder
• beholder

Kids Definition

smolder

1 of 2 noun

smol·​der

variants or smoulder

ˈsmōl-dər

: a slow smoky fire

smolder

2 of 2 verb

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to burn slowly with smoke and usually without flame

fire was smoldering in the pit

2

: to exist or continue in a hidden or controlled state

discontent smoldered for years before the revolt

3

: to burn inwardly

anger smoldered in my heart