flame

1 of 2

noun

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
4
5
: the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person
broadly : memory
keeper of the flame
6
: an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

flame

2 of 2

verb

flamed; flaming

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to send or convey by means of flame
flame a message by signal fires
2
: to treat or affect with flame: such as
a
: to sear, sterilize, or destroy by fire
b
3
: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about
flamer noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Investigators believe the suspect also deliberately set fire to the church, which appeared engulfed in flames in photos and videos shared on social media. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025 Videos on social media and local television stations showed flames and smoke billowing from the church. Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Spotify also shared a graphic of the same design on Instagram, captioning it simply with a key emoji and flaming heart. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025 There was plenty of experimentation, too, seen via the shimmering tops in punchy shades like Big Bird yellow and flaming vermilion red, and the tinsel skirts that swished in all directions as models walked to a custom soundtrack by the British artist Steve McQueen. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flame

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flaume, flaumbe, from Anglo-French flame (from Latin flamma) & flambe, flamble, from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma flame; akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flame was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flame. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

flame

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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 email

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

flame

transitive verb
flamed; flaming
: to cleanse or sterilize by fire

More from Merriam-Webster on flame

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