bonfire

noun

bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(-ə)r 

: a large fire built in the open air

Examples of bonfire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The staff invited us to step off the train and sip champagne or hot chocolate around a blazing bonfire. — Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

There is also plenty of pomp, along with bells, bonfires, and illuminations. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

During mosquito season, Mosquito Joe will spray your yard every three weeks to make your backyard paradise for summer BBQs, pool days and bonfires. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Shacks, of which there were nine along the peninsula, would compete to outdo each other, lighting bonfires on the beach, supplying endless kegs, and inviting live bands. — Curbed Editors, Curbed, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bonefire a fire of bones, from bon bone + fire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bonfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

bonfire

noun

bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(ə)r 

: a large outdoor fire