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

Carbon Monoxide Detector This four-in-one detector not only reads carbon monoxide on the road but also detects other combustible, explosive gases, like LPG (methane), propane, and natural gas. —Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

In all, 40 out of the 76 wells tested by ABC News across five states were leaking oil or combustible gas when they were tested. —Evan Simon, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024

While Nabers’ early target numbers (a season-high 18 in Week 2) were always going to be unsustainable, the lack of Nabers’ involvement combined with the Giants losing record became combustible Sunday. —Charlotte Carroll, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

And there is no shortage of other spoilers in this combustible region. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 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