combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl 

1

: capable of combustion

combustible materials, such as paper, leaves, and sawdust

combustible gases

2

: easily excited

a combustible temper

The coach had to keep the combustible players under control.

combustibility

kəm-ˌbə-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

combustible noun

combustibly

kəm-ˈbə-stə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of combustible

• explosive
• combustive
• flammable
• inflammable
• ignitable
• fiery

Examples of combustible in a Sentence

The fuel is highly combustible.

don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic

Recent Examples on the Web

The timing is combustible The launch lands weeks after Apple sued OpenAI, alleging theft of trade secrets and confidential information about upcoming products. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

In the first three years, combustible materials like firewood, dead leaves, branches, mulch and wood chips would have to be cleared 5 feet around homes. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Phase two, to be completed within five years, tackles the more extensive changes closest to the home, including the one-foot vegetation-free safety zone and replacement of combustible gates. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Sheds in Zone 0 must have non-combustible exterior roofs and walls, and homeowners may have to make changes to the portion of their fence attached to the home, like replacing their wooden gate with a metal gate. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin combustibilis, from Latin combustus (past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, combust") + -ibilis -ible

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for combustible

• adjustable
• incombustible
• noncombustible

Kids Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being burned

2

: catching fire or burning easily

combustibility

-ˌbəs-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

combustible noun

Medical Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

: capable of combustion

combustible anesthetics