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 services were led by the Lighthouse Church’s senior pastor, Kevin Tuck, a former chaplain and police officer, who delivered fiery sermons in contemporary clothes. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Five members of a Colorado family, including three young children, were killed last summer in a fiery crash in Grand County. — Laura Phillips, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

The Moon in your sign conjoins fiery Mars, adding courage, urgency, and a shorter fuse to your emotional responses. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

On the other side is Shelton, the biggest name in American men’s tennis right now and likely his cohort’s best hope for breaking a 23-year Grand Slam drought, with his fiery mix of power, athleticism and energy. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 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