cinder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, technical
Quick answer
What does “cinder” mean?
A small piece of partly burned coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but may still be hot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small piece of partly burned coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but may still be hot.
A fragment of solid material left after the combustion of something; can also refer to a small fragment of volcanic rock (e.g., 'volcanic cinder').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major spelling or definitional differences. The phrase 'cinder block' (AmE) is equivalent to 'breeze block' (BrE), though 'cinder block' is understood in both.
Connotations
In British contexts, 'cinders' may evoke imagery from fairy tales (e.g., Cinderella). In American contexts, 'cinder' is strongly associated with 'cinder block' construction material.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the common term 'cinder block.'
Grammar
How to Use “cinder” in a Sentence
[BE] reduced to cinders[BE] burned to a cinderscatter [cinders]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cinder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rarely used as verb) The intense heat threatened to cinder the wooden supports.
American English
- (Rarely used as verb) The forest fire could cinder the entire hillside.
adjective
British English
- They built a temporary shed from cinder blocks.
- The path was made of cinder and gravel.
American English
- The old factory had cinder-block walls.
- We ran on the cinder track.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries dealing with combustion by-products or construction ('cinder block').
Academic
Used in geology ('cinder cone volcano'), materials science, and historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Most common in the phrase 'cinder block' or when describing something completely burned.
Technical
Specific use in volcanology (porous volcanic rock) and metallurgy (slag or clinker).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cinder”
- Using 'cinder' to mean ash (powder).
- Misspelling as 'cindar' or 'cinderel' (confusion with Cinderella).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ash is a fine, powdery residue. A cinder is a small, solid, often porous piece of material that has been burned.
It is very rare. The typical verb form related to cinder is 'to reduce/burn to cinders.'
Yes, etymologically. Cinderella's name suggests she was covered in cinders from sitting by the fireplace.
Traditionally, it was made from coal cinders and cement. Modern versions often use other aggregates like ash or slag.
A small piece of partly burned coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but may still be hot.
Cinder is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Cinder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪndə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪndər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “burned to a cinder”
- “reduced to cinders”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Cinderella sitting by the fireplace among the cinders.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION BY FIRE IS REDUCTION TO A CINDER (e.g., 'The plans were reduced to cinders.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'cinder'?