English · Word Candidate

tinder

/ˈtɪn.dəː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: tinders · tindering · tindered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Small dry sticks and finely-divided fibrous matter etc., used to help light a fire.

Noun

Examples

Strike on the Tinder, hoa: / Giue me a Taper: […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To set fire to; torch.

Verb

Examples

Is heaven a murderer when its lightning strikes a would-be murderer in his bed, tindering sheets and skin together?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To use the dating application Tinder.

Verb

Examples

I haven't been Tindering or doing the Plenty of Fish thing in quite some time because I've been seeing Date #2, and he's lovely. […] I'm not Tindering or frequenting POF because my heart still belongs to him, but up pops a message on the Friday night.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “tinder” mean?

Small dry sticks and finely-divided fibrous matter etc., used to help light a fire.

Is “tinder” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.