fiery

1 of 2

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

fieriness

2 of 2

noun

fi·​eri·​ness -rēnə̇s 

-rin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being fiery

impressed by the fieriness of the man's speech

there was fieriness in her glance

Synonyms of fiery

Adjective

• blazing
• burning
• flaming
• smoldering
• flickering

Examples of fiery in a Sentence

Adjective

He was killed in a fiery crash.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It will then be loaded up with trash and sent down to a fiery death in Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026

His game was trending in the wrong direction in Buffalo, but a new team with championship aspirations could be just what this fiery young goalie needs to get back on track. — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Witnesses said speed may have been a factor in a fiery crash on Hazel Avenue late Monday that killed a driver trapped in the wreckage and injured two CHP officers who tried to pull him to safety, California Highway Patrol officials said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

For the first time, this year’s ceremony will add a silent moment to honor people who were exposed to the clouds of toxic dust released by the twin towers’ fiery collapse and have since died of cancer and other illnesses. — Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from fire, fier fire

First Known Use

Adjective

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