Meaning & use

kindle

verb·Academic

To start a fire burning, or figuratively to arouse a feeling or interest.

See it in a sentence

He used dry leaves and small twigs to kindle the campfire before dark.

Her teacher's enthusiasm helped kindle a lifelong interest in astronomy.

A note on using this word

Often used figuratively with abstract nouns like "interest," "hope," or "passion" rather than a literal fire.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

extinguish

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