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

• burning
• flaming
• blazing
• smoldering
• flickering
• lighted

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

Those long, beguiling strands have a fiery red pepper bite followed by a sweet surge of hardware smoke that lingers on the tongue. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025

For your autumn outdoor display, fill them with small pumpkins or fiery bittersweet branches and set a few larger pumpkins nearby for more fall color. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025

Dabo Swinney, the winningest coach in Clemson football history, delivered a fiery message to those who have expressed criticism about the direction of the football program in the midst of a 1-2 start to the season. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Last year, Tianlong-3 unexpectedly lifted off during a static-fire test and crashed into nearby hills in a fiery explosion. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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