fire
/ˈfaɪə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The heat and light made when something burns. It can be controlled, like in a stove, or uncontrolled, like in a house fire.
- The campfire kept us warm.
- Fire broke out in the kitchen.
verb
To remove someone from a job. It also means to shoot a gun or send a missile.
- They fired the manager yesterday.
- The soldier fired his rifle.
Adinary Nuance
Fire is broader and stronger than many near-neighbors. Use flame for the visible burning part, blaze for a strong bright fire, and fire for the whole thing or the danger itself. As a verb, fire is more direct than dismiss for jobs and more forceful than shoot in military or legal contexts.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lửa
- Spanish
- fuego
- Chinese
- 火
- Japanese
- 火
- Korean
- 불
Etymology
Old English fire, from Germanic roots. It is related to words in several older European languages with the same basic meaning.
Common phrases
on firecatch firefire alarmfire drill
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is fire a noun or a verb?
- It is both. As a noun, it means burning or flames. As a verb, it can mean to remove someone from a job.
- What is the difference between fire and flame?
- Fire is the whole burning process. Flame is the visible tongue of fire.
- Is fire used in business writing?
- Yes, but mainly in the verb sense: to fire someone. In formal writing, dismiss is often softer.
- How do I use fire in a sentence?
- You can say, “The fire spread quickly,” or “They fired the worker.”