Ignite
/ɪɡˈnaɪt/
verbB2
Definition
Ignite means to cause something to catch fire or start burning. It can also mean to cause strong emotions or events to begin quickly and powerfully. People often use it both for real flames and for feelings like excitement or anger.
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See It in Action
To start a fire or cause something to burn
- •The dry leaves ignite quickly in the hot sun.
- •He used a match to ignite the campfire.
- •Sparks from the machine can ignite the gas.
To cause strong feelings or actions to begin suddenly
- •His speech ignited a passion for change in the crowd.
- •The news ignited anger among the people.
- •The event ignited a debate about the new law.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ignite" like "start," but with energy and heat—it's not just beginning, it's starting with power and fire
- ✓Picture lighting a match that suddenly bursts into flame, bright and hot
- ✓It's the feeling when your excitement or anger suddenly grows very strong, like a spark turning into a fire
- ✓Sounds like "I-NIGHT" → imagine the night suddenly lighting up with fire or fireworks, bright and alive
- ✓Think of the story of Prometheus who gave fire to humans, starting a big change and energy
- ✓NOT like "light" (which can mean to make something bright gently), "ignite" means to start burning quickly and strongly
- ✓NOT like "burn" (which is the process of fire), "ignite" is the moment fire begins
- ✓NOT like "calm" or "slow," ignite means fast, strong beginning
Try Other Words
- •Set fire to: to cause something to burn (Use when talking about physically burning things)
- •Spark: to cause the beginning of something, especially feelings or actions (Use when focusing on the first small cause of a bigger event)
- •Light: to make something bright or start burning gently (Use when the beginning is soft or slow)
- •Trigger: to cause something to happen suddenly (Use when talking about events or reactions, not physical fire)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "ig-" is a form of "in-" meaning "in" or "on"
- •Root: "nite" from Latin "ignis" meaning "fire"
- •Etymology: From Latin "ignītus," past participle of "ignīre," meaning "to set on fire"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to mean starting a fire; later used metaphorically for starting emotions or events
- •Modern usage: Used both literally (starting fire) and figuratively (starting feelings or actions)
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things can ignite feelings besides fire? How does this word help describe strong emotions?
•How is the idea of "igniting" different when talking about fire versus ideas or actions?
Fill in the blanks
1.The dry grass can ignite easily because it is very ___.
2.His words ignite strong emotions, causing people to ___ quickly.
3.Unlike "burn," to ignite means to ___ the fire, not just keep it going.
4.The protesters' anger was ___ by the unfair law.
5.You need a spark or flame to ignite the ___.
6.When something ignites, it often happens ___ and suddenly.
7.The coach's speech was meant to ignite ___ in the team before the game.