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kindleto start a fire; to ignite something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to start a fire; to ignite something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɪndəl/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother could kindle a campfire faster than any Boy Scout.
  • The teacher's enthusiasm kindled a love of learning in her students.
  • He tried to kindle romance with poetry, but his verses kindled only laughter.

kindle

VERB

[/ˈkɪndəl/]

to start a fire; to ignite something

The old ranger patiently strikes flint to kindle a small campfire at dusk.
💡 Concept

The old ranger patiently strikes flint to kindle a small campfire at dusk.

KIND(gentle) + LE(letter) — reading the KIND LEtter from his teacher managed to instantly kindle his passion for writing.
🧠 Mnemonic

KIND(gentle) + LE(letter) — reading the KIND LEtter from his teacher managed to instantly kindle his passion for writing.

As the camp's heat began to dwindle, he gathered dry dead leaves to quickly kindle a new fire.
🎵 Rhyme

As the camp's heat began to dwindle, he gathered dry dead leaves to quickly kindle a new fire.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈkɪndəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈkɪndəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootkindle

Origin

From Old Norse 'kyndill' meaning 'candle' or 'torch', which is related to 'kynda' meaning 'to kindle' or 'light'. The word entered Middle English through Scandinavian contact and eventually came to mean 'to ignite' or 'set fire to'.

Breakdown

kin- (from Old Norse kynda, to light) + -dle (diminutive/instrumental suffix, as in 'candle') = kindle (to set alight or ignite)

🎵Rhyme

dwindlespindleswindle
dwindle
spindle
swindle

🔗Collocations

kindle a fire
kindle interest
kindle hope
kindle passion
kindle romance

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother could kindle a campfire faster than any Boy Scout.

The teacher's enthusiasm kindled a love of learning in her students.

😄 Fun example

He tried to kindle romance with poetry, but his verses kindled only laughter.

The dry leaves kindled immediately when the spark touched them.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

ignitelightsparkarouseinspire

Antonyms

extinguishquenchdampen

Related

flamefirepassionemotioninspiration

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