kindle
/'kindl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To cause to start burning; to ignite: To set something on fire or cause it to begin burning.
- To arouse or inspire (an emotion, feeling, or response): To stimulate or bring forth a particular emotional or mental state.
Verb (intransitive):
- To catch fire; to begin to burn: To start burning.
- To become bright or animated: To light up or become excited, often used figuratively for eyes or expressions.
Usage Examples
Verb (transitive):
- She used dry twigs to kindle the campfire. (She used dry twigs to start the campfire burning.)
- The speaker's words kindled hope in the audience. (The speaker's words aroused hope in the audience.)
- The sunset kindled the clouds with brilliant colors. (The sunset caused the clouds to glow with brilliant colors.)
Verb (intransitive):
- The dry leaves kindled quickly in the heat. (The dry leaves caught fire quickly in the heat.)
- His eyes kindled with excitement when he saw the gift. (His eyes lit up with excitement when he saw the gift.)
Advanced Usage
"To kindle interest/curiosity/passion": To stimulate or awaken a particular feeling or desire.
- The museum exhibit kindled my curiosity about ancient history. (The museum exhibit awakened my curiosity about ancient history.)
"To kindle a flame/fire": Literally, to start a fire. Figuratively, to start a process or emotion.
- Their first meeting kindled a flame of friendship that lasted for years. (Their first meeting started a friendship that lasted for years.)
Variants and Related Words
Kindling (n): Small, dry pieces of wood or other material used to start a fire.
- We gathered kindling to start the fireplace.
Rekindle (v): To revive or restart something, such as a fire, emotion, or relationship.
- They managed to rekindle their old friendship.
Synonyms
- Ignite: To set on fire; to spark.
- Arouse: To evoke or awaken a feeling.
- Stimulate: To encourage or incite activity or development.
- Provoke: To stir up or call forth a reaction.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Kindle" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)
Related Idioms
- "To kindle a fire in someone's heart": To inspire strong passion or emotion in someone.
- Her speech about justice kindled a fire in the hearts of the young activists. (Her speech about justice inspired strong passion in the young activists.)
Verb
- call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
- arouse pity
- raise a smile
- evoke sympathy
- cause to start burning
- The setting sun kindled the sky with oranges and reds
- catch fire
- The dried grass of the prairie kindled, spreading the flames for miles