English Dictionary

TINDERBOX

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tinderbox mean? 

TINDERBOX (noun)
  The noun TINDERBOX has 2 senses:

1. a dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violenceplay

2. a box for holding tinderplay

  Familiarity information: TINDERBOX used as a noun is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


TINDERBOX (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

A dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

the Balkans are the tinderbox of Europe

Hypernyms ("tinderbox" is a kind of...):

situation (a complex or critical or unusual difficulty)


Sense 2

Meaning:

A box for holding tinder

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("tinderbox" is a kind of...):

box (a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid)


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