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

Officials could not immediately identify the fatal fire victim, who was found dead inside the smoldering apartment. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Almost two years after a massive battery fire in Monterey County displaced 1,200 people and smoldered for days, spewing toxic gas into the air, the same facility is burning again. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Oklahoma County commissioners are asking the State Auditor & Inspector's Office for a two-stage investigative audit of accounting errors reported by the County Clerk's Office, a crisis that exploded in recent weeks after smoldering for months. — Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 18 Sep. 2026

Meet the winners of Allure’s 2026 Best of Beauty Awards in the competitive category of Eye Makeup—and get ready to smolder. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 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