1
: the glowing gaseous part of a fire
2
a
: a state of blazing combustion
the car burst into flame
b
: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning: such as
(1)
: burning zeal or passion
(2)
: a strong reddish-orange color
3
5
: the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person
6
: an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message
flamed; flaming
1
: to burn with a flame : blaze
2
a
: to burst or break out violently or passionately
flaming with indignation
b
: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message
3
: to shine brightly : glow
color flaming up in her cheeks
1
: to send or convey by means of flame
flame a message by signal fires
2
3
: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about
flamer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of flame in a Sentence
Noun
the flame of a candle
We built a fire and roasted marshmallows over the flames.
They tried to put out the fire, but the flames grew higher.
The engine burst into flame.
Verb
A fire flamed in the oven.
The sun flamed through the clouds.
color flaming in her cheeks
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
Then, what wasn’t damaged by the flames, Davis said, suffered smoke and water damage.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
Before Notre Dame reopens in December, art pieces rescued from the flames are on display with before and after images of the restoration process.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024
The song begins with Swift’s realization that her former flame forgot to disable location tracking on his phone.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
Ochoa watched as the flames climbed up toward electrical wires hanging overhead between two street lamps.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
At the Eras Tour, Swift performs in front of a big house, in which each room might represent a different era, and by the show’s end the house is doused in flames.
—The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
Bystanders screamed as he was engulfed in flames, the New York Times reported.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Water was transparent, and flames flickered seemingly at random.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Holly J. Morris, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
These taco night ingredients aren't as spicy as some of the others in this best taco recipe list, making this Peruvian twist perfect for anyone who doesn't love flaming heat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fans are eating up the flaming hot look the co-owner of the Kansas City Current soccer team and wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed off on Instagram Wednesday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
There is the flaming red wig worn by Lucille Ball in Du Barry Was a Lady, the gate from Jane Russell’s childhood home, Jean Harlow’s bottle of Mitsouko perfume, jewelry worn by Carole Lombard, and Mae West’s personal telephone.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Florida State The Seminoles enter the offseason flaming mad that they were denied a spot in the playoff after an undefeated season and ACC championship.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Beals said students sent flaming paper towels into her bathroom stall.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There was talk of flaming duck and a chocolate fountain.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
The structures at the pier’s end — a vacant restaurant that used to be a Ruby’s Diner, the Brine Box fresh seafood restaurant and a bait shop — were destroyed by the flames.
—Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
Then, what wasn’t damaged by the flames, Davis said, suffered smoke and water damage.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
Before Notre Dame reopens in December, art pieces rescued from the flames are on display with before and after images of the restoration process.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024
The song begins with Swift’s realization that her former flame forgot to disable location tracking on his phone.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
Ochoa watched as the flames climbed up toward electrical wires hanging overhead between two street lamps.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
At the Eras Tour, Swift performs in front of a big house, in which each room might represent a different era, and by the show’s end the house is doused in flames.
—The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
Bystanders screamed as he was engulfed in flames, the New York Times reported.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Water was transparent, and flames flickered seemingly at random.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
This week, topics thrown into the flaming quiz pyre include high-energy physics, beloved snacks, music traditions and, of course, viral animals.
—Holly J. Morris, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
These taco night ingredients aren't as spicy as some of the others in this best taco recipe list, making this Peruvian twist perfect for anyone who doesn't love flaming heat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fans are eating up the flaming hot look the co-owner of the Kansas City Current soccer team and wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed off on Instagram Wednesday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
There is the flaming red wig worn by Lucille Ball in Du Barry Was a Lady, the gate from Jane Russell’s childhood home, Jean Harlow’s bottle of Mitsouko perfume, jewelry worn by Carole Lombard, and Mae West’s personal telephone.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Florida State The Seminoles enter the offseason flaming mad that they were denied a spot in the playoff after an undefeated season and ACC championship.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Beals said students sent flaming paper towels into her bathroom stall.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There was talk of flaming duck and a chocolate fountain.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flame.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flame
Cite this Entry
“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flame. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flame
1 of 2 noun1
: the glowing gas that makes up part of a fire
2
: a state of burning brightly
the car burst into flame
a building in flames
3
: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame
4
: the person one is in love with : sweetheart
an old flame
5
: a hostile or rude electronic message
sent me a flame by e-mail
flame
2 of 2 verb
flamed; flaming
1
: to burn with a flame : blaze
2
: to burst or break out violently
flaming with anger
3
: to shine brightly
4
: to treat or affect by flame or fire
especially
: to sterilize by a flame
5
: to send a hostile or rude electronic message to or about
Medical Definition
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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