fiery

adjective

fi·​ery ˈfī(-ə)-rē How to pronounce fiery (audio)
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 adverb
fieriness noun
fiery adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chicago Police Department brass accused Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration of deliberately slowing down paychecks for dozens of employees this summer in a fiery email that warned the city was jeopardizing its compliance with the federal consent decree. Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025 In another, cucumber kimchi, a fresh and crunchy side dressed in gochujang with a fiery kick that cuts through the richness filling the rest of my tray. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025 One fiery comment that’s floating around is that this could turn out to be another semblance of the infamous Sputnik crisis. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Longoria wore a fiery red dress for the Global Gift Gala in 2024, which featured an asymmetric neckline and cutouts at the bustline and waist for the look. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fiery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from fire, fier fire

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiery was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fiery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiery. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fiery

adjective
fi·​ery ˈfī-(ə-)rē How to pronounce fiery (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fiery

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