Definition of 'kindle'
Word forms: kindles3rd person singular present tense, kindling present participle, kindled past tense past participle
1. transitive verb
If something kindles a particular emotion in someone, it makes them start to feel it.
2. transitive verb
If you kindle a fire, you light paper or wood in order to start it.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
kindle in American English 1
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈkindled or ˈkindling
1.
to set on fire; ignite
2.
to light (a fire)
4.
to cause to light up; make bright
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
kindler (ˈkindler)
noun
Word origin
ME kindlen, freq. < ON kynda, to set on fire, akin to MHG küntenWord Frequency
kindle in American English 2
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈkindled or ˈkindling
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
kindle in American English 1
(ˈkɪndl) (verb -dled, -dling)
transitive verb
2.
intransitive verb
SYNONYMS 1–3. fire, light. kindle, ignite, inflame imply setting something on fire. to kindle is esp. to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively:
to kindle someone's interest. to ignite is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame: to ignite dangerous hatreds. inflame is now found chiefly in figurative uses, as referring to unnaturally hot, sore, or
swollen conditions in the body, or to exciting the mind by strong emotion: The wound was greatly inflamed. 3. arouse, awaken, bestir, incite, stimulate.5.
to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame
6.
to become aroused or animated
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
kindler noun
Word origin
[1150–1200; ME kindlen ‹ ON kynda; cf. ON kindill torch, candle]Word Frequency
kindle in American English 2
(ˈkɪndl) (verb -dled, -dling)
transitive verb
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1175–1225; ME kindelen, v. use of kindel offspring, young, equiv. to kind- (OE gecynd offspring; see kind2) + -el -le]Word Frequency
kindle in British English
verb
3.
to make or become bright
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
kindler (ˈkindler) noun
Word origin
C12: from Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kyndill candle
Word Frequency
Kindle in British English
noun
trademark
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Examples of 'kindle' in a sentence
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