fiery

adjective

fi·​ery ˈfī(-ə)-rē 

fierier; fieriest

1

a

: consisting of fire

fiery tongues playing about the roof of the burning building

b

: marked by fire

a fiery crash

c

: using or carried out with fire

the fiery experiments of the ancient alchemists

d

: liable to catch fire or explode : flammable

a fiery vapor

2

a

: hot like a fire

the fiery taste of red pepper

b(1)

: being in an inflamed state or condition

a fiery boil

(2)

: feverish and flushed

a fiery forehead

3

: of the color of fire : red

a fiery sunset

4

a

: full of or exuding emotion or spirit

a fiery sermon

b

: easily provoked : irritable

a fiery temper

fierily

ˈfī-rə-lē 

adverb

fieriness

ˈfī-rē-nəs 

noun

fiery adverb

Synonyms of fiery

• blazing
• burning
• flaming
• smoldering
• flickering

Examples of fiery in a Sentence

He was killed in a fiery crash.

the fiery Yule log made a splendid backdrop for our holiday party

Recent Examples on the Web

The fiery, legendary figure of Jose Mourinho has just taken over as Madrid manager. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026

When comets come around the sun, the dust emitted as the debris collides with Earth's atmosphere forms a trail that creates fiery, colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 July 2026

But suffice it to say the battle serves as one of the deadliest and most defining confrontations of the Targaryen civil war, permanently shifting the balance of power as the Dance of Dragons careens toward its fiery end. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 20 July 2026

Instead, the prolific, up-and-coming filmmaker luxuriates in dances under the moonlight, fiery rituals and glimpses of memory, conceived with an ethereal quality in collaboration with cinematographer Eily Sprungman. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from fire, fier fire

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for fiery

• diary
• friary
• priory

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Kids Definition

fiery

adjective

fi·​ery ˈfī-(ə-)rē 

fierier; fieriest

1

: being on fire : blazing

2

: hot or glowing like a fire

3

a

: full of spirit

a fiery speech

b

: easily set off

a fiery temper

fieriness noun