kindle

¹

[ kin-dl ]

verb (used with object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.

   Synonyms: light, fire

2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
3. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame:

   He kindled their hopes of victory.

   Synonyms: stimulate, incite, bestir, awaken, arouse

4. to light up, illuminate, or make bright:

   Happiness kindled her eyes.

verb (used without object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
2. to become aroused or animated.
3. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

kindle

²

[ kin-dl ]

verb (used with object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).

verb (used without object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.

noun

1. a litter of kittens, rabbits, etc.

kindle

¹

/ ˈkɪndəl /

verb

1. to set alight or start to burn
2. to arouse or be aroused

   the project kindled his interest

3. to make or become bright

Kindle

²

/ ˈkɪndəl /

noun

1. a portable electronic device for downloading and reading books

Derived Forms

• ˈkindler, noun

Other Words From

• kindler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindle¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) + -le ( def )

Origin of kindle²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English kindelen, verb use of kindel “offspring, young,” equivalent to kind- ( Old English gecynd “offspring”) + -el; -le, kind ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindle¹

C12: from Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kyndill candle

Synonym Study

Kindle, ignite, inflame literally mean to set something on fire. To kindle is to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively: to kindle logs; to kindle someone's interest. To ignite is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame; it too is often used figuratively: to ignite straw; to ignite dangerous hatreds. Inflame is most often used figuratively, meaning to intensify, excite, or rouse: to inflame passions.

Example Sentences

Tanton kindles a small fire of twigs inside a metal pitcher, while expounding for the camera about ecology and overpopulation.

From Salon

Stoke Mandeville is now the permanent lighting point for all Paralympic torches, in the same way the Olympic Flame is kindled at Olympia in Greece.

From BBC

As a ploy to infuse his writing with a sense of kindled urgency, Max has begun moonlighting as an escort for older men.

From Los Angeles Times

The experience shook her confidence in pharmaceutical research, she says, but it also kindled her interest in science.

From Science Magazine

The flame was kindled on April 16 at Olympia in southern Greece, where the ancient games were held for more than 1,000 years from about 776 B.C. to A.D.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• arouse
• awaken
• foment
• inflame
• inspire
• provoke
• rouse
• sharpen
• stimulate
• stir
• whet
• work up