What does smoulder mean?
Smoulder means to burn slowly and quietly, usually without an obvious flame, and it can also describe a person whose anger, resentment, or suppressed emotion is outwardly restrained but nevertheless persistent. The literal sense is especially associated with embers, ash, or damaged material that continues to smoke after visible flames have died away. In figurative use, something may smoulder with anger, jealousy, or discontent, or a person may smoulder with resentment. The word often conveys tension that has not yet become an open confrontation. Smoulder is the established British spelling, while smolder is the standard US spelling. Although the literal meaning is relatively unusual, the figurative sense makes the verb especially useful for describing emotions that persist beneath a calm exterior.
verbTo burn slowly without a visible flame, often producing smoke. Figuratively, it means to harbour anger, resentment, or another strong emotion that is outwardly restrained.
- To burn slowly without flames, sometimes emitting smoke.
- To express or harbour anger, resentment, or suppressed emotion in a restrained way.
"Resentment smouldered beneath her professional calm."
"The old timber smouldered for hours after the flames had been extinguished."
"He continued to smile, but anger was smouldering in his voice."
A quiet fire can be written with a British “ou” and an American “o”: smoulder versus smolder.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smoulder come from?
The word comes through Middle English smolder or smolderen, meaning to burn or smoke slowly, and is related to Middle Dutch smolderen and smoren. Its figurative sense developed from the image of a concealed fire continuing to burn. The traditional spelling with “ou” is retained chiefly in British English, whereas the simplified form smolder became standard in American English.
Related word forms
How smoulder is actually used
The physical sense is relatively uncommon in everyday speech, whereas the figurative sense is widely used. In British English, the usual pattern is “smoulder with anger”; American English normally spells the verb smolder but otherwise follows the same pattern.
Easily confused with smoulder
Smoulder and smolder have the same meaning; smoulder is the traditional British spelling, whereas smolder is standard in US English.