smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər 

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke

b

: to be consumed by smoldering

—often used with out

2

: to exist in a state of suppressed activity

hostilities smoldered for years

3

: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy

eyes smoldering with hate

Examples of smolder in a Sentence

The remains of the campfire smoldered.

Her eyes smoldered with anger.

Anger smoldered in my heart.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fire continued to smolder throughout early Monday morning until all spots were completely extinguished. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024

When police arrived, the 26-year-old’s body still smoldered. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024

In the medium term, smoke and any smoldering hot spots should stay generally to our south and southwest, away from the Beltway. —A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024

Of course, there have long been attempts at political interference in academia, with a distrust of elitism smoldering beneath the widespread disdain for the ivory tower. —Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024

The Washinton Post reports there are some 150 fires still smoldering in western Canada -- British Columbia and Alberta, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024

The fire still was smoldering Wednesday night, Stollsteimer said. —John Miller, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024

The English-language R&B song is a smoldering tribute to a longtime friend with love potential. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that the devastation completely leveled the couple's home and left a smoldering crater in the foundation and basement. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

smolder

1 of 2 noun

smol·​der

variants or smoulder

ˈsmōl-dər

: a slow smoky fire

smolder

2 of 2 verb

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to burn slowly with smoke and usually without flame

fire was smoldering in the pit

2

: to exist or continue in a hidden or controlled state

discontent smoldered for years before the revolt

3

: to burn inwardly

anger smoldered in my heart