Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of starting a fire: The process or action of igniting something, such as a campfire or a piece of wood.
   • Material used to start a fire: Small, dry pieces of wood, twigs, paper, or other easily combustible items used to ignite a larger fire.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Act):
  • The kindling of the ceremonial fire marked the beginning of the festival.
  • Proper kindling requires patience and the right materials.
• Noun (Material):
  • He gathered dry leaves and small sticks for kindling.
  • We need more kindling before we can start the campfire.

Advanced Usage

• "To catch kindling": To ignite the initial fire-starting material.
  • The damp wood wouldn't catch kindling, so we used newspaper instead.
• Figurative Use: Can describe the initial spark or catalyst for an idea, emotion, or event.
  • His speech provided the kindling for a revolution. (Here, "kindling" metaphorically represents the initial cause that starts a larger movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kindle (verb): To start a fire; to ignite or arouse (an emotion or idea).
  • She used a match to kindle the tinder.
  • The story kindled his imagination.
• Tinder (noun): Very dry, fine material that catches fire easily, often used with kindling.
  • He used dried grass as tinder for the kindling.

Synonyms

• Tinder: Material for starting a fire.
• Firewood (small): Small pieces of wood for starting fires.
• Ignition: The act of starting a fire (more technical).

Related Phrases

• "To add fuel to the kindling": Literally, to add larger fuel to a small, established fire. Figuratively, to worsen an already tense situation.
  • His angry comments just added fuel to the kindling.
• "Dry as kindling": A simile describing something as extremely dry.
  • The old papers in the attic were dry as kindling.

Noun

1. the act of setting something on fire
2. material for starting a fire