kindling

[ kind-ling ]
See synonyms for kindling on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. material that can be readily ignited, used in starting a fire.

  2. the act of one who kindles.

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Origin of kindling

1
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at kindle1, -ing1

Other words from kindling

  • un·kin·dling, adjective

Words Nearby kindling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use kindling in a sentence

  • Tim got down on the hearth and began piling paper and kindling and logs in the fireplace.

  • "The Church is very just," the priest answered him, more sternly still, a holy wrath kindling his sombre eyes.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • Her eyes, now kindling again as she recovered from her recent fears, sought Fortunio's shifty glance.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • "It would be idle," came Wilding's icy voice to quench the gleam of hope kindling anew in Richard's breast.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • The terrible, slow-kindling anger of this Northerner made Durnovo catch his breath.

    With Edged Tools | Henry Seton Merriman

British Dictionary definitions for kindling

kindling

/ (ˈkɪndlɪŋ) /


noun
  1. material for starting a fire, such as dry wood, straw, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012