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Definition of bonfire

bonfire

/ˈbɑːnfaɪər/
bon · fire
Plural:bonfires
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bonfire Lexical Profile

bonfire Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large open-air fire built outdoors as part of a celebration or social gathering, or for burning garden rubbish and yard waste.

Example

"The students gathered around a large bonfire on the beach to roast marshmallows and celebrate the end of the semester."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bonfire

• Nearby Words

bonemeal
boner
boneyard
bonfire
bong
bongo
boniato

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late Middle English as 'banefire' or 'bonefire', the word literally meant a 'fire of bones', referring to the historical practice of burning animal bones as fuel or in open-air midsummer celebrations before wood became the standard fuel.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bonfire. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bonfire
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