smolder
smolder Lexical Profile
smolder Game Scores & Validity
• verb
American To burn slowly with smoke and no flame.
"The embers continued to smolder in the hearth throughout the cold night."
American To exist in a suppressed state or show barely concealed anger, hatred, or passion.
"Resentment over the unfair decision continued to smolder among the staff for months."
• noun
American Thick smoke resulting from a slow, flameless fire, or a state of slow burning without flame.
"A faint smolder rose from the damp leaves long after the campfire had been doused."
American A suppressed state of strong emotion, or a sultry, intense facial expression.
"The actor was famous for his signature smolder in romantic dramas."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Smolder" is the standard American English spelling, whereas "smoulder" is used in British and Commonwealth English.
• Rhymes for smolder
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English smolderen, meaning to suffocate or smoke, related to Middle Dutch smōren (to suffocate or stew) and Old English smorian.