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

Getting there took most of the year and highlighted the deep frustration many Californians have with PG&E and other major utility companies across the state over their prices, profits and role in sparking major wildfires. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025

These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025

That wildfire in 2021 spread quickly across Boulder County in extreme winds and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. —Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Natural hydrogen sources, such as wildfires, fluctuated year to year but showed no consistent long-term trend. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

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