fire
fire Lexical Profile
fire Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and flame.
"We gathered dry wood to build a small fire at the campsite to keep warm."
A destructive, uncontrolled burning that damages buildings, forests, or property.
"The historic library was badly damaged by a sudden electrical fire last winter."
The shooting of projectiles from weapons, or intense criticism and questioning directed at someone.
"The company's executives came under heavy fire from shareholders over the declining profits."
Passionate emotion, enthusiasm, or lively spirit.
"The young orator spoke with remarkable fire and conviction during the debate."
• verb
To propel or launch a projectile, or to direct rapid questions or remarks at someone.
"Journalists began to fire questions at the spokesperson as soon as the press conference started."
To dismiss an employee from a job.
"The company had to fire the manager after discovering serious accounting irregularities."
To stimulate or inspire the imagination or enthusiasm of someone.
"Visiting the science museum helped fire the students' curiosity about astronomy."
To generate an electrical impulse (of a neuron), or to start operating (of an engine).
"Neuroscientists observed how specific neurons fire when a person recalls a vivid memory."
To bake or dry pottery, bricks, or ceramics in a kiln.
"After shaping the clay bowls on the wheel, the potter left them to dry before preparing to fire them in the kiln."
• interjection
Used as a warning shout when an uncontrolled blaze breaks out, or as a command to discharge a weapon or launch a rocket.
"When someone smelled smoke in the hallway and shouted 'Fire!', everyone evacuated the building calmly."
• adjective
Exceptionally good, exciting, or impressive (slang).
"The new album from that indie band is absolute fire."
• Rhymes for fire
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English fyr, derived from Proto-Germanic *fūr and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *paewr- meaning 'fire'.