ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kindle

v. · n.
US //ˈkɪndəɫ// UK //kˈɪndəl// kin·dle
  1. 1 to start a fire (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to start a fire or make something start burning.

    to set fire to or ignite a combustible material. Transitive when used with an object like 'fire' or 'coals'.

    Example

    He used small dry sticks to kindle the campfire in the woods.

    Example

    The campers gathered dry brushwood and birch bark to kindle a small blaze before the damp evening air could settle in.

    Usage

    Often used with 'fire', 'flame', or 'coals'.
  2. 2 to inspire a feeling (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to start a strong feeling, such as interest, hope, or love.

    to arouse, inspire, or call forth an emotion or interest. Frequently used in the passive voice or with abstract nouns.

    Example

    The teacher's stories helped kindle a love of history in the students.

    Example

    The professor's lecture on ancient civilizations served to kindle a lifelong fascination with archaeology in several of her undergraduate students.
  3. 3 a group of kittens (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    a rare word for a group of kittens born at the same time.

    a collective noun for a brood or litter of kittens.

    Example

    The old book mentioned a kindle of kittens hiding in the barn.

    Example

    In traditional venery prose, one might encounter the term 'kindle' to describe a litter of kittens, though the term has largely vanished from modern usage.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is extremely rare and archaic; learners should use 'litter' in modern contexts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English kyndelen, from Old Norse kynda (“to inflame”), from Proto-Germanic *kundijaną.

Etymology 2

From Middle English kyndel, from kynde + -el. The verb is derived from the noun form by conversion.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026