Põlev

Põlev is an Estonian adjective meaning "burning" or "on fire." It can describe an actual flame or, more broadly, something that is capable of catching fire. In everyday language and in safety contexts, the word is used to indicate flammability or active combustion.

The term is derived from the verb põlema (to burn) with the suffix -v, which yields an adjective indicating the property of burning. In compound formations, põlev forms words that relate to fire, such as põlevkivi, literally "burnable stone," known in English as oil shale.

Põlev is common in descriptions of hazards or physical processes: for example, signs or texts may refer to "põlev" substances or describe a "põlev olukord" (a fire-prone situation). The word thus functions as a general descriptor of fire-related properties and is versatile across technical and everyday language.

One notable example is põlevkivi, a sedimentary rock that contains hydrocarbons and can be burned as a fuel; Estonia has used it as a major energy resource. The term illustrates how põlev extends from describing flames to naming combustible materials and related phenomena.