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

Smith & Cross is a beast, the standard bearer of the category, its flavor amplified further still by being bottled at a combustible 114 proof. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 July 2024

The owners claim in the lawsuit that their businesses are struggling because patrons avoid the area where sidewalks are blocked by makeshift shelters and riddled with trash, used needles, combustible materials and human feces. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024

Tow or move the vehicle at least 50 feet from structures, cars, personal property and any other combustible materials. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024

How much has the tour given you a middle path to keep working together without having to go through the combustible circumstances of creating new music? —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 27 Sep. 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