tinder

noun tin·der \ ˈtin-dər \

Definition of tinder

1 :a very flammable substance adaptable for use as kindling

2 :something that serves to incite or inflame

that rhetoric was ready tinder for revolution
—Margaret Peters

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Recent Examples of tinder from the Web

In addition to Instagram, Jake had a brief flirtation with the dating app Tinder.

— jessica mendoza, The Christian Science Monitor, "Can you please talk, not text? Parenting the Instagram generation," 13 Aug. 2017
Then on to Bumble, which positions itself as slightly less awful than Tinder because only girls are allowed to message boys first.

— jessica roy, The Cut, "This Week in Drama: J.K. Rowling’s Fake News, a Bridezilla Gets Her Comeuppance, and Dueling Pierogi Festivals," 4 Aug. 2017
On April 6, 1994, the president of Rwanda's plane was shot down over the capital city of Kigali, igniting a tinder box of already escalating fears and emotions.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Vickroy: From the ashes of Rwanda's genocide rises a phoenix of forgiveness," 28 July 2017
According to The Daily Northwestern, school officials are looking into a racial slur allegedly made by a Northwestern student to a Dartmouth student on the dating app Tinder.

— susannah hutcheson, USA TODAY College, "Campus news of the week: Missing student, mumps, Gloria Steinem and more," 1 July 2017
Chadwick Moore, a 33-year-old freelance writer in New York, identified a new twist in which such establishments have become a choice setting for first Tinder dates by straight couples.

— jim farber, New York Times, "How ‘Gay’ Should a Gay Bar Be?," 24 June 2017
In addition, many tourists will be camping in hot, tinder-dry conditions, or even sleeping in their cars.

— gillian flaccus, The Seattle Times, "As eclipse chasers descend on Oregon, locals prepare for the invasion," 24 June 2017
In addition, many tourists will be camping in hot, tinder-dry conditions, or even sleeping in their cars.

— gillian flaccus, The Seattle Times, "As eclipse chasers descend on Oregon, locals prepare for the invasion," 24 June 2017
In addition, many tourists will be camping in hot, tinder-dry conditions, or even sleeping in their cars.

— gillian flaccus, The Seattle Times, "As eclipse chasers descend on Oregon, locals prepare for the invasion," 24 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tinder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tinder

Middle English, from Old English tynder; akin to Old High German zuntra tinder, Old English tendan to kindle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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TINDER Defined for English Language Learners

tinder

noun

Definition of tinder for English Language Learners

: dry material (such as wood or grass) that burns easily and can be used to start a fire

TINDER Defined for Kids

tinder

noun tin·der \ ˈtin-dər \

Definition of tinder for Students

:material that burns easily and can be used as kindling

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tinder

Definition of tinder

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Origin and Etymology of tinder

TINDER Defined for English Language Learners

tinder

Definition of tinder for English Language Learners

TINDER Defined for Kids

tinder

Definition of tinder for Students

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