Rekindle is a verb meaning to relight or revive something, such as a fire, interest, or feeling, that has waned. It implies reigniting energy or enthusiasm that had faded, often through intentional action or renewed attention. The term suggests a fresh start or rekindling of warmth and connection after a period of dormancy.
"- After years apart, they tried to rekindle their friendship with a weekend getaway."
"- The manager aimed to rekindle interest in the product through a new marketing campaign."
"- Reading the old letters rekindled memories of their childhood."
"- A heartfelt apology rekindled the couple’s trust and affection."
Rekindle derives from the prefix re- (again, back) attached to kindle. Kindle itself originates from Old English kende/kyndian? Actually older: The root is from Middle English keyword 'kynden' related to warm or to set alight. The verb 'kindle' appeared in the late 14th century, meaning to light a fire. Over time, it broadened metaphorically to mean arousing interest or feelings. The prefix re- entered the word to emphasize a return of warmth or interest, yielding rekindle. First known uses surface in early modern English contexts about reviving flames or emotions. By the 18th–19th centuries, rekindle appears in literature to describe reviving passions or relationships, not just literal fires. In contemporary usage, rekindle commonly collocates with feelings, relationships, interest, or enthusiasm, carrying tonal nuance of renewed vitality after a waning period.
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Words that rhyme with "Rekindle"
-re) sounds
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Rekindle is pronounced with three syllables: /riˈkaɪn.dəl/ in US and /rɪˈkaɪndəl/ in UK. Stress falls on the second syllable: re-KIN-dle. Start with an /r/ followed by a light /i/ or /ɪ/ vowel, then the /ˈkaɪn/ sequence (like ‘kyne’), and finish with a soft /dəl/ (the /d/ lightly released, and the final /əl/ as a schwa+l). For accurate sound, listen to native speakers via Pronounce and YouGlish for natural speed. IPA: US /riˈkaɪn.dəl/, UK /rɪˈkaɪn.dəl/.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying re-KIN-dle with wrong emphasis), mispronouncing the /kaɪn/ as /kaɪk/ or /keɪn/ (confusing diphthong quality), and over-articulating the /d/ at the end, which can make it sound clipped. Correction: emphasize the /kaɪn/ as a single strong syllable with /aɪ/ like ‘kite,’ and end with a light /dəl/, letting the final /əl/ be subtle. Practice with slow tempo and minimal pairs to lock the exact vowel, consonant timing, and stress.
US vowels tend to be rhotic with a clear /r/ and a shorter, tighter /ɪ/ in the first syllable, while UK speakers often show a shorter /ɪ/ and a slightly rounded /ɔɪ/ in the /kaɪn/ part? No, in fact /kaɪn/ remains /kaɪn/ across accents; the main difference is the onset and the rhoticity. US: /riˈkaɪn.dəl/ UK: /rɪˈkaɪn.dəl/ AU: /rəˈkaɪndəl/, with potentially reduced vowel length in some Australian speech. The rhotic /r/ is less pronounced in non-rhotic varieties (UK, some AU accents) except in linking contexts.
The difficulty lies in the /ɪ/ vs /iː/ quality in the first syllable and the /kaɪn/ diphthong, which blends a hard /k/ with a high front vowel sound. The /d/ can be subtly released, affecting final syllable clarity. Also, the staccato nature of /dəl/ ending can feel abrupt if not softened. Focus on placing the tongue high for /kaɪn/ and then lightly releasing the /d/ to achieve a smooth conclusion.
A useful quirk is to keep the /ɪ/ in the first syllable short and relaxed, then move quickly into the /kaɪn/ cluster where the tongue reaches a high front position for the diphthong /aɪ/. The 're-' prefix often reduces to a near-schwa /ri/ or /rɪ/ depending on the accent; maintain the stronger stress for the second syllable to preserve the intended meaning. IPA references will help you lock the exact vowel qualities and mouth movements.
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