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

But when her neighborhood was hit by wildfires and flooding before the summer bloom, Wilson discovered that the flowers’ real value was in giving them away. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

The Sonoma County institution’s financial troubles reflect broader pressures on California wine, including declining demand, Canadian boycotts and wildfire damage. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

This reality hit home for me in 2025, when a devastating wildfire in Los Angeles displaced my family and forced me to navigate the claims process as a policyholder. — Garret Gray, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dick Guttman Memorial Fund at the Entertainment Industries Foundation, which supports members of the creative community through a variety of philanthropic efforts, including wildfire relief. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Sep. 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