What does kindle mean?
Kindle means to set something alight, cause it to catch fire, or become ignited. It also has a widely established figurative meaning: to arouse, awaken, or stir a feeling, such as interest, hope, anger, or enthusiasm. The literal sense is common in discussions of fire, weather, and combustible materials, while figurative examples include phrases such as "kindle curiosity" and "kindle debate." The verb can be transitive, as in "the sun kindled the dry grass," or intransitive, as in "the wood kindled slowly." Its fire imagery gives figurative uses a sense of energy, immediacy, and growth: an idea may begin modestly but spread rapidly. Although the related noun kindling describes the material used to begin a fire, kindle itself functions as a verb and is especially valued for connecting physical combustion with the metaphorical awakening of emotion and thought.
verbTo set alight or cause to catch fire; also, to arouse or awaken a feeling, interest, or emotion.
- To set alight or cause to catch fire.
- To arouse or awaken an emotion, interest, or response.
- To become alight or begin to burn.
"The speech kindled widespread interest in the young scientist's work."
"Dry leaves can kindle quickly if the wind is strong enough."
"Her account of the expedition kindled a lasting interest in Arctic exploration."
Kindle carries fire into the figurative world: the same spark that lights a hearth can awaken curiosity, hope, or outrage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kindle come from?
The English word entered Middle English as kindlen, borrowed from Old Norse kynda, meaning "to set on fire" or "to kindle." Old Norse kynda developed from a Germanic word associated with burning. The same root survives in cognates including Icelandic kynda, Danish kynde, and German kündigen, although their meanings and levels of use have shifted.
Related word forms
How kindle is actually used
The verb is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Figurative uses often have a somewhat literary tone, as in "kindle hope" or "kindle an enthusiasm," while the literal sense is common in general writing.
Easily confused with kindle
Kindle is the verb meaning to set alight or arouse, whereas kindling is primarily the noun for small combustible material used to start a fire.