smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər 

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke

b

: to be consumed by smoldering

—often used with out

2

: to exist in a state of suppressed activity

hostilities smoldered for years

3

: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy

eyes smoldering with hate

Examples of smolder in a Sentence

The remains of the campfire smoldered.

Her eyes smoldered with anger.

Anger smoldered in my heart.

Recent Examples on the Web

As of Monday afternoon, there was still active fire and smoldering in the interior portion of the building, Heggstrom said. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2024

York joined Good Morning America on Monday to discuss his return after taking a hiatus to undergo treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, and multiple smoldering myeloma — two blood and bone marrow disorders. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 June 2024

The very first murder victim found in 1975 was a man found down in the southern part of the county with his body still smoldering. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 14 June 2024

Here’s How China Has Responded to Countries Congratulating Taiwan’s Election Winner But the stronger the ties between Taipei and Washington, the more pressure Beijing puts on the island, and the greater the danger of finally exploding a Cold War conflict that has smoldered for 75 years. —Charlie Campbell / Taipei, TIME, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

smolder

1 of 2 noun

smol·​der

variants or smoulder

ˈsmōl-dər

: a slow smoky fire

smolder

2 of 2 verb

variants or smoulder

smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to burn slowly with smoke and usually without flame

fire was smoldering in the pit

2

: to exist or continue in a hidden or controlled state

discontent smoldered for years before the revolt

3

: to burn inwardly

anger smoldered in my heart