acender

Senses

1. 1.

   to light, to turn on

   to cause something to start burning or emitting light

2. 2.

   to ignite, to kindle

   to set fire to something or start a flame

3. 3.

   to light up, to brighten

   to illuminate or make something brighter (figurative or literal)

4. 4.

   to arouse, to stir up

   to awaken feelings, passions, or emotions

Examples

• "Vou acender a luz da sala porque está muito escuro."

  I'm going to turn on the living room light because it's too dark.

• "Ele acendeu um cigarro enquanto esperava o ônibus."

  He lit a cigarette while waiting for the bus.

• "Aquela discussão acendeu a raiva dele."

  That argument stirred up his anger.

Usage

Regular -er verb. Common collocations include "acender a luz" (turn on the light), "acender uma vela" (light a candle), and "acender o fogo" (light the fire). Don't confuse with "ascender" (to ascend, rise), which has a different meaning despite similar spelling.