flame

1 of 2

noun

ˈflām 

1

: the glowing gaseous part of a fire

2

a

: a state of blazing combustion

The car burst into flame.

The entire building was in flames. [= was on fire]

The cabin went up in flames. [= was destroyed by fire]

b

: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning: such as

(1)

: burning zeal or passion

the flames of love

spread the flames of war

(2)

: a strong reddish-orange color

3

: brilliance, brightness

… the flame of the stars.

—Joseph Conrad

4

: sweetheart sense 2

a former flame

5

: the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person

broadly : memory

keeper of the flame

6

: an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

flame

2 of 2

verb

flamed; flaming

intransitive verb

1

: to burn with a flame : blaze

—often used with up

Grease left heating in the pan flamed up suddenly.

2

a

: to burst or break out violently or passionately

flaming with indignation

b

: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

3

: to shine brightly : glow

color flaming up in her cheeks

transitive verb

1

: to send or convey by means of flame

flame a message by signal fires

2

: to treat or affect with flame: such as

a

: to sear, sterilize, or destroy by fire

b

: flambé

3

: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about

What would Emily Post advise me to do? Flame the … scumbag right back?

—John Seabrook

flamer noun

Synonyms of flame

Noun

• sweetheart
• darling
• dear
• sweetie
• love
• sweet
• lover
• girlfriend
• beloved

Verb

• glow
• burn
• blaze

Examples of flame in a Sentence

Noun

the flame of a candle

We built a fire and roasted marshmallows over the flames.

They tried to put out the fire, but the flames grew higher.

The engine burst into flame.

Verb

A fire flamed in the oven.

The sun flamed through the clouds.

color flaming in her cheeks

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Joyce Barnes, chief operating officer of TOCCA, says a reed diffuser can add a subtle scent to your home without a flame or an on/off switch. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025

One neighbor also pulled out a garden hose to try and suppress the flames. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025

Verb

This 32-foot-tall sculpture with flaming red eyes has alarmed travelers for decades, but the story of its creation is even more chilling. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

With a bright pattern set on flaming crimson and a diaphanous petticoat underneath, the dress fits her perfectly. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flaume, flaumbe, from Anglo-French flame (from Latin flamma) & flambe, flamble, from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma flame; akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flame

• eternal flame
• flame cell
• flame out
• flame photometer
• flame-retardant
• flame stitch
• flame tree
• pre-flame

Rhymes for flame

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

flame

1 of 2 noun

ˈflām 

1

: the glowing gas that makes up part of a fire

2

: a state of burning brightly

the car burst into flame

a building in flames

3

: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame

4

: the person one is in love with : sweetheart

an old flame

5

: a hostile or rude electronic message

sent me a flame by email

flame

2 of 2 verb

flamed; flaming

1

: to burn with a flame : blaze

2

: to burst or break out violently

flaming with anger

3

: to shine brightly

4

: to treat or affect by flame or fire

especially : to sterilize by a flame

5

: to send a hostile or rude electronic message to or about

Medical Definition

flame

transitive verb

ˈflām 

flamed; flaming

: to cleanse or sterilize by fire