blaze

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈblāz How to pronounce blaze (audio)
1
a
: an intensely burning fire
b
: intense direct light often accompanied by heat
the blaze of TV lights
c
: an active burning
especially : a sudden bursting forth of flame
2
: something that resembles the blaze of a fire: such as
a
: a dazzling display
a blaze of color
b
: a sudden outburst
a blaze of fury
went down in a blaze of glory
c
blazes plural : hell
go to blazes
as hot as blazes

blaze

2 of 5

verb (1)

blazed; blazing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to burn brightly
the sun blazed overhead
b
: to flare up : flame
inflation blazed up
2
: to be conspicuously brilliant or resplendent
fields blazing with flowers
3
: to shoot rapidly and repeatedly
—usually used with away
4
: to proceed extremely rapidly : blast
blazing down the highway

blaze

3 of 5

verb (2)

blazed; blazing

transitive verb

: to make public or conspicuous

blaze

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
a
: a usually white stripe down the center of the face of an animal
b
: a white or gray streak in the hair of the head
2
: a trail marker
especially : a mark made on a tree by chipping off a piece of the bark

blaze

5 of 5

verb (3)

blazed; blazing

transitive verb

1
: to mark (a trail) with blazes (see blaze entry 4 sense 2)
2
: to lead in some direction or activity
blaze new trails in education

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Synonyms

Noun (1)

Verb (1)

Verb (2)

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English blase, from Old English blæse torch; probably akin to Old English bǣl fire — more at bald

Verb (2)

Middle English blasen, from Middle Dutch blāsen to blow; akin to Old High German blāst blast

Noun (2)

perhaps from Dutch or Low German bles; akin to Old Norse blesi white stripe on an animal and probably to Old English blæse torch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1541, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (3)

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blaze was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing blaze

Dictionary Entries Near blaze

blazar

blaze

blaze a trail

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Cite this Entry

“Blaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blaze. Accessed 29 Sep. 2022.

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Kids Definition

blaze 1 of 4

noun

ˈblāz How to pronounce blaze (audio)
1
: an intense and dangerous fire
2
: great brightness and heat
the blaze of the sun
3
: a bright display
a blaze of color
4
: outburst sense 1
a blaze of anger

blaze

2 of 4

verb

blazed; blazing
1
: to burn brightly
A fire was blazing in the fireplace.
2
: to shine as if on fire
Her eyes blazed with anger.

blaze

3 of 4

noun

1
: a white stripe down the center of an animal's face
2
: a mark made on a tree to show a trail

blaze

4 of 4

verb

blazed; blazing
: to show a path by making marks on trees
blaze a trail

Medical Definition

blaze

noun

ˈblāz How to pronounce blaze (audio)
: a white or gray streak in the hair of the head

More from Merriam-Webster on blaze

Nglish: Translation of blaze for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of blaze for Arabic Speakers

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