ignite

[ ig-nahyt ]
See synonyms for: igniteignitedignitingignitable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.
  1. to set on fire; kindle.

  2. Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.

verb (used without object),ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing.
  1. to take fire; begin to burn.

Origin of ignite

1
First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ignītus “set on fire,” past participle of ignīre “to set on fire,” from ign(is) “fire” + -īre, infinitive verb suffix

synonym study For ignite

1. See kindle1.

Other words from ignite

  • ig·nit·a·ble, ig·nit·i·ble, adjective
  • ig·nit·a·bil·i·ty, ig·nit·i·bil·i·ty, noun
  • non·ig·nit·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • non·ig·nit·a·ble, adjective
  • non·ig·nit·i·bil·i·ty, noun
  • non·ig·nit·i·ble, adjective
  • re·ig·nite, verb (used with object), re·ig·nit·ed, re·ig·nit·ing.
  • un·ig·nit·a·ble, adjective
  • un·ig·nit·ed, adjective
  • un·ig·nit·ing, adjective

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

How to use ignite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ignite

ignite

/ (ɪɡˈnaɪt) /


verb
  1. to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn

  2. (tr) chem to heat strongly

  1. (tr) to stimulate or provoke: the case has ignited a nationwide debate

Origin of ignite

1
C17: from Latin ignīre to set alight, from ignis fire

Derived forms of ignite

  • ignitable or ignitible, adjective
  • ignitability or ignitibility, noun

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