tinder

noun

tin·​der ˈtin-dər 

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

Examples of tinder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

High winds and low humidity have turned much of northern Minnesota, which has yet to fully green up, into a tinder box. —Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025

Phillip glanced out the window and saw a mountainside of fresh tinder. —Eli Saslow, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025

And vegetation built up over two consecutive wet winters had turned to tinder after months of drought this year. —Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

In the lead-up to the Palisades and Eaton fires this month, the intense dryness kept vegetation tinder dry — a recipe for disaster when combined with strong Santa Ana winds and an ignition. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tinder

• cinder
• hinder
• linder
• winder

Kids Definition

tinder

noun

tin·​der ˈtin-dər 

: a material that burns easily and can be used as kindling