combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl 

1

: capable of combustion

combustible materials, such as paper, leaves, and sawdust

combustible gases

2

: easily excited

a combustible temper

The coach had to keep the combustible players under control.

combustibility

kəm-ˌbə-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

combustible noun

combustibly

kəm-ˈbə-stə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• burnable
• combustive
• fiery
• flammable
• ignitable
• ignitible
• inflammable
• touchy

Examples of combustible in a Sentence

The fuel is highly combustible.

don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic

Recent Examples on the Web

But regardless of where the number lands, the issue has become a combustible topic as a growing number of Californians struggle with the rising cost of living. —Rob Nikolewski, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Smoking is only allowed inside of vehicles, on roadways or in other areas without combustible material. —Buffalo National River, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Current use of any combustible tobacco product was reported by 6.3% of American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents, followed by 4.1% Black, 3.9% of multiracial, 2.9% of Hispanic, and 2.4% of White teens. —Tina Reed, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

White, also famously combustible, lit a fire in Ramsay. —Alex French, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin combustibilis, from Latin combustus (past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, combust") + -ibilis -ible

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being burned

2

: catching fire or burning easily

combustibility

-ˌbəs-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

combustible noun

Medical Definition

combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl 

: capable of combustion

combustible anesthetics