ignite

1 of 2

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

transitive verb

1

a

: to set afire

also : kindle

b

: to cause (a fuel) to burn

2

: to subject to fire or intense heat

especially : to render luminous by heat

3

a

: to heat up : excite

oppression that ignited the hatred of the people

b

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

intransitive verb

1

: to catch fire

2

: to begin to glow

ignitability

ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ignitable adjective

or less commonly ignitible

ig-ˈnī-tə-bəl 

igniter noun

or less commonly ignitor

ig-ˈnī-tər 

ignitability

2 of 2

noun

ig·​nit·​abil·​i·​ty

variants or less commonly ignitibility

(ˌ)igˌnītəˈbilətē

plural -es

: the quality or state of being ignitable

the ignitability of coal

Synonyms of ignite

Verb

• burn
• scorch
• light
• inflame
• fire

Examples of ignite in a Sentence

Verb

The fire was ignited by sparks.

The paper ignited on contact with sparks.

a material that ignites easily

Three wins in a row ignited the team.

His proposal is igniting opposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Furthermore, loosening these restrictions risks igniting new supply friction. — CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

The Trader Joe’s kimbap frenzy was ignited by a TikTok review from Korean-American creator Sarah Ahn, who tried the product with her mother in a clip that quickly pulled a quiet freezer SKU into the national conversation. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

Now those tensions threaten to ignite once more following a provocative celebration by one of Haiti’s star players as his controversial remarks and the fallout inject fresh friction into the relationship. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Thousands of spectators lined the Chicago River to watch floating mock-ups of Victorian houses become engulfed by flames — a la the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 — but the buildings failed to ignite. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

First Known Use

Verb

1666, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing ignite

• self-ignite

Rhymes for ignite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

ignite

verb

ig·​nite ig-ˈnīt 

ignited; igniting

1

a

: to set on fire : light

b

: to cause (a fuel mixture) to burn

2

: to catch fire

3

: to set in motion : spark

ignite a debate

ignitable

-ˈnīt-ə-bəl

adjective

igniter noun

also ignitor

-ˈnīt-ər