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

These days, some displays use drone shows instead of combustible pyrotechnics, which further minimizes the fire risk. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

With or without any classics by Queen, the band Lambert has sung with since 2012, he can be expected to deliver a combustible show. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026

Large protests are expected and, in a country where migration has become an easy target for people suffering from a cascade of social and economic ills, the gatherings risk becoming combustible. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Bell was widely viewed as a less ideologically combustible choice, but his nomination quickly attracted the same DEI backlash that doomed Ono. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 25 June 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