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

With little notice, a new outbreak could go from smoldering to explosive, or a virus only a coterie of experts cared about — think Zika — could become a global crisis. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026

A week before the March 5 election, the Reichstag erupted in flames, the target of a dramatic arson attack that left the country’s site and symbol of representative democracy a smoldering ruin. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Its headquarters were left smoldering on the banks of the Nile. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

In Pacific Palisades, the LAFD failed to act on multiple warnings that the Lachman fire was still smoldering. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

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