enflame

1 of 2

verb (1)

en·​flame

less common spelling of inflame

transitive verb

1

a

: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling

especially : to make angry

His speech inflamed the mob.

b

: to make more active, heated, or violent : intensify

inflame the imagination

insults serving only to inflame the feud

2

: to set on fire : kindle

3

: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement

a face inflamed with passion

4

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

intransitive verb

1

: to burst into flame

2

: to become excited or angered

3

: to become affected with inflammation

inflame

2 of 2

verb (2)

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

variants or less commonly enflame

inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming

transitive verb

1

a

: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling

especially : to make angry

His speech inflamed the mob.

b

: to make more active, heated, or violent : intensify

inflame the imagination

insults serving only to inflame the feud

2

: to set on fire : kindle

3

: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement

a face inflamed with passion

4

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

intransitive verb

1

: to burst into flame

2

: to become excited or angered

3

: to become affected with inflammation

inflamer noun

Synonyms of enflame

Verb (2)

• infuriate
• anger
• enrage
• irritate
• annoy

Examples of enflame in a Sentence

Verb (2)

His angry speech inflamed the mob.

ideas that inflame the imagination

His comments have inflamed an already tense situation.

inflaming the passions of the mob

a chemical that can inflame the skin

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In fact, your erotic desire may become enflamed. — Kyle Thomas, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025

These dangerous actions only serve to further enflame tensions and further disrupt global supply chains. — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

Verb

The skin may blister and the eyes inflame, the stomach knot up and the bowels loosen. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

My scalp is less dry and inflamed, and my curls are thoroughly moisturized. — Dana Oliver, Parents, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

Middle English enflamen, from Anglo-French enflamer, from Latin inflammare, from in- + flamma flame

First Known Use

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for enflame

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe