plural flames
1
: the hot, glowing gas that can be seen when a fire is burning
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.
2
: a state of burning brightly
The engine suddenly burst/exploded into flames. [=the engine suddenly began burning]
The entire building was in flames. [=was on fire; was burning]
The curtains caught on fire and the cabin went up in flames. [=was destroyed by fire]
The engine burst/exploded into flame.
3
: strongly felt emotion
—usually plural
the flames of passion
4
informal
: a person you have a romantic relationship with : sweetheart
She refuses to answer questions about her current flame.
He's an old flame from her high-school days.
a former flame
5
: an angry or insulting e-mail message
flames; flamed; flaming
1
: to burn with a flame : to produce a flame
A fire flamed in the oven.
—often + upThe overheated pan flamed up suddenly.
2
literary
: to feel or express strong or angry emotion
He flamed with indignation.
3
literary
: to shine brightly : glow
The sun flamed through the clouds.
color flaming in her cheeks
4
: to send an angry or insulting e-mail message to (someone)
He got/was flamed for expressing a controversial political opinion on the Internet.
Cite this Entry
“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/flame. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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