Kindle means to start a fire or cause something to begin burning. When you kindle a campfire, you're carefully arranging small twigs and dry leaves so they catch flame and grow into a warm blaze.

The word also describes sparking emotions or ideas in someone's mind. A great teacher might kindle your curiosity about science by showing you an exciting experiment. A stirring speech can kindle hope in listeners. When something kindles your interest or imagination, it lights a spark inside you that grows into genuine excitement or passion.

You might also hear the related word kindling, which refers to the small, dry sticks and materials used to start a fire. Without good kindling, even an expert camper struggles to get a fire going. Think of kindling as the foundation: once it catches, you can add larger logs.

The word suggests a gentle beginning that grows into something bigger and stronger, whether that's flames spreading through a fireplace or enthusiasm spreading through a classroom. When you kindle something, you're not forcing it; you're giving it the right conditions to catch and grow on its own.