combustible

adjective

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

Synonyms

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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.
This week, the underarm serve ended a match and started some discourse, a remarkable winning streak snapped with a side of on-court drama and one of the most combustible players on the ATP Tour met his match. — Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 Highly combustible batteries storing solar power were to blame for that fire, which resulted in the evacuation of approximately 1,200 people. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025 If there’s anything combustible there — a kid’s play set, shrubbery, a grill, vehicles — make sure there is space around each item so that fire can’t move from one to the next. — Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025 The therapy involves breathing in air that consists of 100% oxygen, which helps the body heal more quickly but also creates a highly combustible environment. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025 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

Rhymes for combustible

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Browse Nearby Words

combust
combustible
combustible shale
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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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
-ˌbəs-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce combustible (audio)
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

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