kindle
1 of 2verb (1)
kin·dle ˈkin-dᵊl 
kindled; kindling ˈkin(d)-liŋ
ˈkin-dᵊl-iŋ
transitive verb
1
: to start (a fire) burning : light
using dry twigs to kindle a fire
2
a
: to stir up : arouse
kindle a child's interest in art
b
: to bring into being : start
3
: to cause to glow : illuminate
animation kindling his pale face
A. J. Cronin
A. J. Croninintransitive verb
1
: to catch fire : begin to burn
waiting for the fire to kindle
2
a
: to flare up
… their mutual resentment again kindled … Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon b
: to become animated
no boy will fail to kindle to the struggles of his California youth Ethna Sheehan
Ethna Sheehan3
: to become illuminated
light kindled in the liquor Frances G. Patton
Frances G. Patton kindler
ˈkin(d)-lər
noun ˈkin-dᵊl-ər
kindle
2 of 2verb (2)
kindled; kindling
transitive verb
: bear sense 3a —used especially of a rabbit
intransitive verb
: to bring forth young —used especially of a rabbit
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- burn
- enkindle
- fire
- ignite
- inflame
- enflame
- light
- torch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, probably modification of Old Norse kynda; akin to Old High German cuntesal fire
Verb (2)
Middle English, from kindle young animal, probably from kinde, noun, kind
First Known Use
Verb (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Verb (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
kindle
verb
kin·dle ˈkin-dᵊl
kindled; kindling
1
: to set on fire : light
2
: to stir up : excite
The trip kindled an interest in travel.
Medical Definition
kindle
intransitive verb
kin·dle ˈkin-dᵊl
kindled; kindling
: to bring forth young —used chiefly of a rabbit
kindles
verb
as in burns
to set (something) on fire worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- burns
- ignites
- torches
- scorches
- inflames
- fires
- enkindles
- lights
- illumines
- enflames
- bakes
- illuminates
- rekindles
- immolates
- stokes
- cooks
- broils
- reignites
- incinerates
- lightens
- ashes
- brightens
- chars
- sears
- irradiates
- relights
- kilns
- radiates
- deflagrates
- cremates
- sets off
- frizzles
- scalds
- scathes
- banks
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extinguishes
- quenches
- douses
- smothers
- suffocates
- chokes
- snuffs (out)
- stamps (out)
- dims
- puts out
- dowses
- obscures
- darkens
- dulls
- blackens