combustible

adjective

com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl How to pronounce combustible (audio)
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 noun
combustible noun
combustibly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And there is no shortage of other spoilers in this combustible region. Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 The combination of these factors could prove combustible and lead to less-than-ideal outcomes on Wall Street, Main Street and in Washington. Ron Insana, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 Putting her into the chaos of John David spinning around her, then Sam and Michael Potts and Ray Fisher and Corey Hawkins, the alchemy of all those things, created this beautiful and combustible energy. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2024 At the instigation of Vince, who’s trying to set himself up as the replacement for the combustible — and patricidal — Chickie, a sit-down is set up between New York, Kansas City, and Tulsa in the neutral ground of Atlanta. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for combustible 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of combustible was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near combustible

Cite this Entry

“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

combustible

adjective
com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl How to pronounce combustible (audio)
1
: capable of being burned
2
: catching fire or burning easily
combustibility noun
combustible noun

Medical Definition

combustible

adjective
com·​bus·​ti·​ble kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl How to pronounce combustible (audio)
: capable of combustion
combustible anesthetics

More from Merriam-Webster on combustible

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