flare

²flare

verb

flaredflar·ing

Definition of FLARE

intransitive verb

1

a : to burn with an unsteady flame b : to stream in the wind

2

a : to shine with a sudden light <a match flares in the darkness> b (1) : to become suddenly excited or angry —usually used with up (2) : to break out or intensify usually suddenly or violently —often used with up c : to express strong emotion (as anger)

3

: to open or spread outward <the pants flare at the bottom>

transitive verb

1

: to display conspicuously <flaring her scarf to attract attention>

2

: to cause to flare <the breeze flares the candle>

3

: to signal with a flare or by flaring

4

: to burn (a jet of waste gas) in the open air

Examples of FLARE

1. pants that flare at the bottom
2. The bull flared its nostrils.

First Known Use of FLARE

1616

Related to FLARE

Synonyms: beat, blaze, burn, flame, glare

Related Words: beam, glow, radiate; flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle; bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle

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