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

Hartman said the department is in touch with local and state crews regarding the wildfires, who will give them a 24-hour notice if an evacuation at Alligator Alcatraz becomes necessary. —Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026

Officials say a wildfire in Colorado that burned over 1,000 acres earlier this week was ignited by a load of garbage. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

Gillespie County and the rest of the Hill Country is facing an elevated risk of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service. —Ricardo Delgado, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026

After Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's Los Angeles home burned down in last year's wildfires, the Heidiwood artist shared a heartbreaking update about their living situation. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing 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