wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 

1

: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area

2

: greek fire

3

: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)

4

: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)

see also:

like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.

Recent Examples on the Web

In other wildfire news Congress is getting increasingly concerned that online platforms that allow gambling on global events — including wildfires — will encourage arson, my colleague Hannah Fry reports. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Authorities in Spokane, Washington arrested 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire in early August, which became one of the most destructive wildfires in that state's history. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

First, firefighter health should be an important part of national wildfire readiness policies. — Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Fire is part of the Everglades ecology — wildfire season coincides with the end of spring when stormy-weather lightning strikes ignite marshes still dry from winter. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wildfire

• like wildfire
• spread like wildfire

Rhymes for wildfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r 

: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area