fire

noun, often attributive \ ˈfī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: fire in a Sentence

Definition of fire

1 a (1) : the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat

(2) : one of the four elements of the alchemists

air, water, fire, and earth

b (1) : burning passion : ardor

young lovers with their hearts full of fire

(2) : liveliness of imagination : inspiration

the force and fire of his oratory

2 a : fuel in a state of combustion (as on a hearth)

warmed his hands at the crackling fire

b British : a small gas or electric space heater

3 a : a destructive burning (as of a building)

The shack was destroyed by a fire.

b (1) : death or torture by fire

He confessed under threat of the fire.

(2) : severe trial or ordeal

He had proved himself in the fire of battle.

4 : brilliancy, luminosity

the fire of a gem

5 a : the firing of weapons (such as firearms, artillery, or missiles)

The troops were ordered to cease fire. [=stop shooting]

They opened fire on [=began shooting at] the enemy.

; also : the bullets, shells, etc., that are discharged

The soldiers endured heavy fire.

— see also friendly fire — compare counterfire

b : intense verbal attack or criticism

His remarks have provoked heavy fire from his political opponents.

c : a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)

—

fireless

play \ˈfī(-ə)r-ləs\ adjective

— on fire

1 : being consumed by fire : aflame

The house was on fire.

2 : eager, burning

He was on fire with enthusiasm.

— under fire

1 : exposed to fire from an enemy's weapons

The soldier showed courage under fire.

2 : under attack

The company has come under fire for its discriminatory hiring policies.

See fire defined for English-language learners

See fire defined for kids

Examples of fire in a Sentence

Stay away from the fire.
The shack was destroyed by a fire.
Two people died in that terrible fire.
How did the fire start?
We warmed our hands over the fire.
She built a fire in the fireplace.
The fire went out and he had to light it again.

Recent Examples of fire from the Web

Five struggling swimmers were safely brought to shore at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire by off-duty lifeguards Friday evening, a fire official said.

— alejandro serrano, BostonGlobe.com, "Off-duty life guards help struggling swimmers to safety at Hampton Beach," 14 July 2018
Four were in serious condition, five were in fair condition and 16 were in good condition, according to a fire official.

— maya lau and irfan khan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tour bus driving from Pala Casino crashes in L.A., injuring 25," 14 July 2018
Don’t miss the outdoor barrel sauna and wood-fire hot tub.

— megan michelson, Outside Online, "These Are the Best Stargazing Spots in North America," 13 July 2018
California fire officials have cited a 46-year-old Yolo County man for allegedly starting a large blaze that has scorched 90,000 acres in Yolo and Napa counties after igniting along a rural highway on June 30.

— javier panzar, latimes.com, "Man cited in Northern California fire sparked by faulty electric fence," 12 July 2018
Phoenix fire officials said a roof on the building may have collapsed.

— chris coppola, azcentral, "Safeway store on fire in central Phoenix, possible roof collapse," 11 July 2018
California fire officials say the blaze is 30 percent contained as of Monday morning.

— Fox News, "The Latest: 3 arrested in connection with Colorado wildfire," 10 July 2018
Twelve people were taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, including an infant and another child, according to fire officials.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "After Porch Collapse In Hartford, Neighbors Ask 'What Else Is Going To Fall?'," 8 July 2018
As wildfires rage across California, beleaguered fire officials are calling for reinforcements.

— kellen browning, sacbee, "'Stretched to the limit' by fires, state allows aerial SuperTanker to re-join fight," 7 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fire

Middle English, from Old English fȳr; akin to Old High German fiur fire, Greek pyr

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

fire Synonyms

fire

verb

Definition of fire

fired; firing

transitive verb

1 a : to set on fire : kindle; also : ignite

fire a rocket engine

b (1) : to give life or spirit to : inspire

the description fired his imagination

(2) : to fill with passion or enthusiasm —often used with up

c : to light up as if by fire

d : to cause to start operating —usually used with up

fired up the engine

2 a : to drive out or away by or as if by fire

b : to dismiss from a position

3 a (1) : to cause to explode : detonate

(2) : to propel from or as if from a gun : discharge, launch

fire a rocket

(3) : shoot 1b

fire a gun

(4) : to score (a number) in a game or contest

b : to throw with speed or force

fired the ball to first base

fire a left jab

c : to utter with force and rapidity

4 : to apply fire or fuel to: such as

a : to process by applying heat

fire pottery

b : to feed or serve the fire of

fire a boiler

intransitive verb

1 a : to take fire : kindle, ignite

b : to begin operation : start

the engine fired

c : to operate especially as the result of the application of an electrical impulse

the spark plug fires

2 a : to become irritated or angry —often used with up

b : to become filled with excitement or enthusiasm

3 a : to discharge a firearm

fire at close range

b : to emit or let fly an object

4 : to tend a fire

5 : to transmit a nerve impulse

the rate at which a neuron fires

—

fireable

play \ˈfī(-ə)r-ə-bəl, ˈfī-rə-\ adjective

—

firer

noun

See fire defined for English-language learners

Examples of fire in a Sentence

She fired the arrow at the target.
He fired several shots at the police.
He fired at the police.
The gun failed to fire.
The soldiers fired on the enemy.
The shortstop fired the ball to first base.
The angry mob fired rocks at him.
The boxer fired a left jab at his opponent's chin.
The story fired his imagination.
She had to fire several workers.

Recent Examples of fire from the Web

Until the 1960s and 1970s, the methods employed hadn’t changed much since horses dragged fire wagons to fire scenes.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "Fire departments fight a culture that saves — and costs — lives," 13 July 2018
According to the probable cause affidavit, deputies were called to a disturbance at Lolo Hot Springs about 8 p.m. Saturday after Crowley had been accused of trespassing and returned allegedly threatening to fire a gun.

— jeff truesdell, PEOPLE.com, "Montana 'Miracle' Baby: Suspect Allegedly Buried Boy in Mountains Because He Was 'Very Heavy'," 11 July 2018
Deputies were called to Lolo Hot Springs at 8 p.m. Saturday because Crowley was creating a disturbance and threatening to fire a gun, Missoula County prosecutors said.

— CBS News, "Officers recall finding buried baby; man says he abandoned boy because he was heavy," 11 July 2018
Deputies were called to Lolo Hot Springs at 8 p.m. Saturday because Crowley was creating a disturbance and threatening to fire a gun, Missoula County prosecutors said.

— matt volz, The Seattle Times, "Officers describe faint whimper, finding abandoned infant," 10 July 2018
Several online petitions called for Crosland to be fired, and one now has more than 198,000 signatures.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Idaho teacher accused of animal cruelty pleads not guilty at court appearance Tuesday," 10 July 2018
Despite a recommendation by FWISD to fire Cole, he was moved out of Eastern Hills to a different position in the district as tickets and facilities manager.

— mac engel, star-telegram, "The curious dismissal of Fort Worth ISD's athletic director," 4 July 2018
Baldwin later acknowledged that her office mishandled the issue, prompting her to fire one staffer, demote another and cut the pay for her chief of staff.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "GOP U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson focuses on demand-side of opioid crisis," 3 July 2018
The government fired another 9,000 police officers, 6,000 military personnel and hundreds of teachers for alleged links to terror groups.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 12 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of fire

see ¹fire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b(1)

See Words from the same year

fire Synonyms

Synonyms

amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up);

Antonyms

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill;

Near Antonyms

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary;

check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress;

daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit;

activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel;

charge, electrify, galvanize;

enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up);

abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen;

reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive;

FIRE

abbreviation

Definition of FIRE

finance, insurance, and real estate

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Fire

biographical name \ ˈfī(-ə)r \

Definition of Fire

Andrew Zachary 1959– American geneticist

FIRE Defined for English Language Learners

fire

noun

Definition of fire for English Language Learners

: the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning
: an occurrence in which something burns : the destruction of something (such as a building or a forest) by fire
: a controlled occurrence of fire created by burning something (such as wood or gas) in a special area (such as in a fireplace or stove)

fire

verb

Definition of fire for English Language Learners

: to shoot a weapon
: to throw (something) with speed and force
: to give life or energy to (something or someone)

FIRE Defined for Kids

fire

noun \ ˈfīr \

Definition of fire for Students

1 : the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning

2 : fuel that is burning in a controlled setting (as in a fireplace)

3 : the destructive burning of something (as a building)

4 : the shooting of weapons

rifle fire

5 : enthusiasm

— on fire

: actively burning

— under fire

1 : exposed to the firing of enemy guns

2 : under attack

fire

verb

Definition of fire for Students

fired; firing

1 : ¹shoot 2

fire a gun

2 : to dismiss from employment

He was fired from his job.

3 : excite 1, stir

It's a story to fire the imagination.

4 : to subject to great heat

fire pottery

5 : to set off : explode

fire a firecracker

6 : to set on fire

They carelessly fired the barn.

Medical Dictionary

fire

noun, often attributive \ ˈfī(ə)r \

medical Definition of fire

: fever or inflammation especially from a disease

fire

verb

medical Definition of fire

fired; firing

transitive verb

1 : to cause to transmit a nerve impulse

2 : to sear (the leg of a horse) with a hot iron in order to convert a crippling chronic inflammation into an acute inflammation that will stimulate the natural healing responses of the body

intransitive verb

: to transmit a nerve impulse