Kindle
/ˈkɪndl/
verbB2
Definition
Kindle means to make a fire start burning by lighting small pieces of wood or paper. It can also mean to cause a feeling, like hope, love, or interest, to begin inside a person. It is often used when talking about starting something warm or strong, either a real fire or an emotion.
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See It in Action
To start a fire by lighting small pieces of wood or paper
- •He kindled the campfire with dry leaves and twigs.
- •It was hard to kindle the fire because of the rain.
- •She kindled a fire to keep warm on the cold night.
To cause a strong feeling or interest to begin inside someone
- •The teacher’s story kindled a love of reading in the students.
- •His kind words kindled hope in her heart.
- •The movie kindled excitement among the audience.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "kindle" like "start" (A1 word), but specifically for fire or feelings—it means to begin something warm or bright
- ✓Picture lighting small sticks with a match that slowly grow into a big fire, or imagine a small smile growing into happiness inside you
- ✓It's the feeling when someone says something that makes your heart feel warm or your mind become excited
- ✓Sounds like "candle" → imagine lighting a candle and watching the small flame grow bigger and warmer
- ✓Think of stories where a small spark in the forest starts a big fire, or when a kind word kindles friendship between people
- ✓NOT like "burn" (which means fire is already strong), "kindle" is the first step to starting the fire
- ✓NOT like "feel" (which is general emotion), "kindle" means to cause or start a strong feeling inside
- ✓NOT like "light" (which can be any light), "kindle" focuses on starting a fire or strong emotion
Try Other Words
- •Ignite: to begin burning or to start a strong feeling (Use when you want a more formal or stronger word for starting fire or emotion)
- •Light: to make something begin to burn (Use when focusing just on making light or fire, less about feelings)
- •Arouse: to cause feelings or interest to begin (Use when talking only about emotions or interest)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix; root word "kindle"
- •Etymology: From Old English "kyndel," meaning torch or candle, related to "kind" meaning family or race, originally about lighting a flame
- •Historical development: Used since early English to mean lighting a fire; later also used for starting emotions or interest
- •Modern usage: Used both literally (starting fires) and figuratively (starting feelings or ideas)
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of feelings or ideas can you kindle in yourself or others? How do you do that?
•Can something bad be kindled, like anger or fear? How does that change the meaning of the word?
Fill in the blanks
1.To ___ a fire, you need dry wood and something to make a small flame ___.
2.Her speech kindled ___ in the crowd, making them feel hopeful and excited.
3.Unlike simply lighting a candle, to kindle a fire means to ___ the first small flames that will grow ___.
4.When you kindle interest in a subject, you make someone want to ___ and learn more.
5.The cold wind made it hard to kindle the fire, so they had to ___ carefully and protect the flame.
6.A kind word can kindle ___ in a person’s heart, helping them feel better.
7.When the campfire was kindled, everyone gathered ___ to feel warm and safe.