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.
Synonyms of combustible
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 department doesn't believe the explosion was sparked by the wastewater treatment plant's digester gas, combustible materials, or any of the plant's operations' explosive hazards.
—
Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Fire officials are using the incident as a reminder to never keep items on a stovetop and to keep cooking areas clear and free of combustible materials.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and another devastating blaze in 1874, Chicago grew wary of combustible construction.
—David Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
In a criminal complaint, authorities allege Rinderknecht caused the initial fire by lighting a combustible material, such as vegetation or paper, with an open flame, likely a lighter.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
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Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Fire officials are using the incident as a reminder to never keep items on a stovetop and to keep cooking areas clear and free of combustible materials.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and another devastating blaze in 1874, Chicago grew wary of combustible construction.
—David Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
In a criminal complaint, authorities allege Rinderknecht caused the initial fire by lighting a combustible material, such as vegetation or paper, with an open flame, likely a lighter.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
Cite this Entry
“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
1
: capable of being burned
2
: catching fire or burning easily
combustible
noun
Medical Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
: capable of combustion
combustible anesthetics
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