wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 

1

: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area

2

: greek fire

3

: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)

4

: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)

see also:

like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the wildfires started in the early evening in the 1500 block of East Mulberry Avenue, not far from Link Lane. —Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 12 June 2026

According to prosecutors' opening statements June 10, the wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles' affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood was part of a vengeful plot from a man who resented the wealthy. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Forest degradation, driven by wildfires, logging and drought, affects about 40% of the Amazon and has outpaced clear-cutting in recent years. —Gabriela Sa Pessoa, Fortune, 12 June 2026

The wildfire spread to the roof of an eight-unit apartment building at the complex and caused significant damage. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wildfire

• like wildfire
• spread like wildfire

Rhymes for wildfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r 

: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area