Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause to start burning; to set on fire: To initiate combustion in a substance.
   • To arouse or excite strong feelings or passions: To trigger intense emotions or reactions.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To begin to burn; to catch fire: To start burning, often suddenly or with intensity.

Usage Examples

• Verb (transitive):

  • The spark ignited the dry leaves. (The spark caused the dry leaves to start burning.)
  • The leader's powerful speech ignited a sense of hope in the people. (The speech aroused a strong feeling of hope.)
  • Please do not ignite fireworks near the building. (Please do not cause fireworks to start burning near the building.)

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The gas leak caused the fumes to ignite. (The gas leak caused the fumes to catch fire.)
  • The engine ignited with a loud roar. (The engine started burning fuel and began operating.)

Advanced Usage

• "to ignite a debate/controversy": to cause a debate or controversy to begin or become intense.
  • The new policy proposal ignited a fierce debate in parliament.
• "to ignite interest/passion": to spark or stimulate strong interest or passion.
  • The documentary ignited her passion for marine biology.

Variants and Related Words

• Ignition (n): The action of setting something on fire or starting to burn; the mechanism that starts an engine.
  • Turn the key to start the ignition.
• Ignitable/Ignitible (adj): Capable of being set on fire.
  • Gasoline is highly ignitable.
• Reignite (v): To ignite or stimulate again.
  • The meeting served to reignite their enthusiasm for the project.

Synonyms

• Kindle: To start a fire; to arouse or inspire (an emotion).
• Inflame: To provoke or intensify strong feelings, often negative ones like anger.
• Combust: To catch fire or begin to burn (more technical).
• Spark: To trigger or cause something to start, especially suddenly.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Ignite" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained in the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "To add fuel to the fire": This idiom is related in meaning to making an intense situation (like anger or conflict) worse, similar to how "ignite" can mean to arouse strong passions.
  • His criticism only added fuel to the fire of their argument.

Verb

1. arouse or excite feelings and passions
   • The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor
   • The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world
   • Wake old feelings of hatred
2. start to burn or burst into flames
   • Marsh gases ignited suddenly
   • The oily rags combusted spontaneously
3. cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
   • Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter
   • Light a cigarette