smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər How to pronounce smolder (audio)
variants or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce smolder (audio)

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
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.
Its remnants smoldered on the edge of Chico State’s campus throughout the day as fire investigators began piecing together what happened. Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025 Property owners used water trucks to extinguish a small smoldering fire on agricultural land. Juan Ortega, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, 'Shallow' ('A Star is Born'), 2019 There is chemistry and then there is smoldering. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 There were fires smoldering everywhere, but the firefighters and sheriff’s officers were too overwhelmed to care who came and went. Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smolder

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of smolder was in 1529

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smolder. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on smolder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!