ignite
Americanverb (used with object)
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to set on fire; kindle.
-
Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to catch fire or set fire to; burn or cause to burn
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(tr) chem to heat strongly
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(tr) to stimulate or provoke
the case has ignited a nationwide debate
Related Words
See kindle 1.
Other Word Forms
- ignitability noun
- ignitable adjective
- ignitibility noun
- ignitible adjective
- nonignitability noun
- nonignitable adjective
- nonignitibility noun
- nonignitible adjective
- reignite verb (used with object)
- unignitable adjective
- unignited adjective
- unigniting adjective
Etymology
Origin of ignite
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UN chief Antonio Guterres said military action in the Middle East "carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control".
From Barron's
Against New Zealand, Ahmed ignited a chase that was struggling in the final overs by hitting his second ball for six.
From BBC
The Summers-Epstein exchanges released in November ignited a new round of scrutiny and led to the unraveling of Summers’ prestigious career.
From Salon
A flurry of recommendations for BL shows and fiction have been exchanged across social media, with the hopes of recapturing the fervour Heated Rivalry ignited.
From BBC
There’s also excitement over SpaceX’s plans to go public later this year in a potentially record-setting initial public offering that could ignite broader interest in the space sector.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
