1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

bonfire

noun

Definition of bonfirenext
as in campfire
a large outdoor fire

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bonfire Sunset cruises, private cabana and daybed rentals, and private group beach experiences ranging from bonfires to boat cruises are also available for an additional fee. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026 This has made the spot a destination for locals searching for a secluded spot to have a bonfire with a view. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 At Auntie Luba’s Kitchen, a rustic kitchen that’s across the street from the hotel and overlooks the Placencia Lagoon, regional fare like curry chicken and conch fritters are served family-style—and meals end with a bonfire. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 Video showed locals draped in Spanish flags, shouting anti-migrant slogans, and singing Spanish songs, torching the camp and throwing migrants’ belongings in the Mediterranean or into bonfires. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bonfire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonfire
  1. campfire
  2. wildfire
  3. forest fire
Noun
  • The cookies combine chocolate, marshmallow and pieces of graham cracker, giving the classic campfire dessert a bakery-style makeover.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Or get in the holiday spirit with a Lego princess calendar that includes a cozy campfire, roaring fireplace, and a delectable-looking gingerbread castle.
    — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of campfire
Noun
  • Assembly Bill 2494 would have eliminated what’s often characterized as a logging mandate in favor of prioritizing values such as carbon storage, wildfire resilience and biodiversity conservation.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dick Guttman Memorial Fund at the Entertainment Industries Foundation, which supports members of the creative community through a variety of philanthropic efforts, including wildfire relief.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of wildfire
Noun
  • Similarly, a major firefighting operation was underway in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, where the heat sparked a forest fire in an area that also contained unexploded ordnance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
  • This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Definition of forest fire

Browse Nearby Words

boneyards
bonfire
bonfires
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bonfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonfire. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All