tinderbox

UK: /ˈtɪndəˌbɒks/ US: /ˈtɪndɚˌbɑks/ ,(tin′dər boks′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tin•der•box /ˈtɪndɚˌbɑks/   n. [countable]

1. a box for holding tinder.
2. a person or thing thought of as highly likely to explode, become violent, etc.:
   For years that region was a tinderbox.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tin•der•box  (tin′dər boks′), n. 

1. a box for holding tinder, usually fitted with a flint and steel.
2. a person or thing that is highly excitable, explosive, inflammable, etc.;
   a potential source of widespread violence:
   Berlin was the tinderbox of Europe.

• tinder + box¹ 1520–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tinderbox / ˈtɪndəˌbɒks/ noun

1. a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel
2. a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive