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

In 2022, state lawmakers passed the bill, creating an approval process for utility companies to submit plans to bury power lines in areas considered high-risk for wildfires. — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

In dry country, in high wind, that second is the difference between an outage and a wildfire. — Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

In recent years, insurance companies have restricted business and shed large numbers of policies following catastrophic wildfires and fears about more in the future. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Droughts, El Niño, an eroding coast and the year-round threat of wildfires, much of it accelerated by climate change. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 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