noun

das Feuerzeug, -e

lighter

Ein kleines Gerät, das eine Flamme erzeugt, um etwas anzuzünden.

Definition & meaning

A Feuerzeug is a portable device used to create a flame. It is primarily used to ignite cigarettes, candles, gas stoves, or campfires. It typically contains a fuel source (such as butane or lighter fluid) and an ignition mechanism (a flint wheel or an electronic piezoelectric spark).

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a neuter noun (das Feuerzeug) and follows the plural form "die Feuerzeuge".

It is a compound noun formed from two German components:

Feuer (fire)
zeug (a suffix derived from "Zeug", meaning "stuff", "tool", or "thing")

Literally translated, it means "fire-thing" or "fire-tool".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Anzünder
Brandstifter (this is typically used for an arsonist, but sometimes used colloquially in specific contexts)
Streichholz (technically a match, which is a different tool for the same purpose)

Antonyms: