What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accelerant
Example
Gasoline is a common accelerant used to start fires. [accelerant: noun]
Example
He poured an accelerant on the logs to help them catch fire. [accelerant: adjective]
kindling
Example
We gathered some kindling from the forest floor to start the fire. [kindling: noun]
Example
She used newspaper as kindling to get the fire going. [kindling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Kindling is more commonly used than accelerant in everyday language. Kindling is a familiar term for most people, while accelerant is more technical and often used in specific contexts such as arson investigations or firefighting.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accelerant and kindling?
While accelerant is typically associated with technical or scientific language, kindling is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
