ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tinder

n. · v.
US //ˈtɪndɝ// UK //tˈɪndɐ// tin·der
  1. 1 fire-starting material (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    small, dry things like sticks, paper, or grass that catch fire easily and help you start a bigger fire.

    dry, combustible material used to kindle a fire by catching a spark or small flame.

    Example

    We gathered some dry leaves and small twigs to use as tinder for the campfire.

    Example

    Without dry tinder, the hikers struggled to ignite the damp logs they had scavenged from the forest floor after the storm.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the material generally; countable when referring to specific types.
  2. 2 dating application (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    a famous mobile app where people look at profiles and swipe to find dates or new friends.

    a proprietary geosocial networking application that allows users to like or dislike other users based on their profiles.

    Example

    He decided to join Tinder after his friends told him it was a good way to meet people.

    Example

    The rise of Tinder has fundamentally altered the landscape of modern dating, popularizing the 'swipe' mechanic as a primary form of social interaction.

    Usage

    Usually capitalized as a proper noun.

  3. 3 using the dating app (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Computing

    to use the Tinder app to look for people to date.

    to engage with the Tinder application, typically involving the act of browsing and swiping through user profiles.

    Example

    She spent the evening Tindering while waiting for her laundry to finish.

    Example

    Despite Tindering for several months, he found that meaningful connections remained elusive in the digital environment.

    Usage

    Intransitive verb derived from the brand name.

Origin

From Middle English tinder, tunder, tender, tonder, from Old English tynder, from Proto-Germanic tundrą, tundrǭ (“tinder”). Compare Saterland Frisian Tunder (“tinder”), Dutch tonder (“tinder”), German Zunder (“tinder”), Swedish tända (“to light, to set on fire”). More at tind.

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

Last updated June 20, 2026