combustible

1 of 2

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

combustibility

2 of 2

noun

com·​bus·​ti·​bil·​i·​ty kəm-ˌbə-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce combustibility (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being combustible

Synonyms of combustible

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of combustible in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
Nearly all the fires were ignited with a lighter and combustible material, the affidavit reads. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Trees lose moisture over extended periods of exceptional heat and dryness, becoming progressively more combustible. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 The area within 5 feet of a home, known as Zone 0, should be kept free of combustible materials. — John Abatzoglou, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 Rising temperatures and prolonged drought leave vegetation drier and more combustible, allowing fires to spread faster and burn more intensely. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combustible

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin combustibilis, from Latin combustus (past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, combust") + -ibilis -ible

Noun

Middle English combustebyllyte, from Middle French combustible + Middle English -ite -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of combustible was in 1529

Rhymes for combustible

See All Rhymes for combustible

Browse Nearby Words

combustibility
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 12 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on combustible

Nglish: Translation of combustible for Spanish Speakers

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