inflame
verb /ɪnˈfleɪm/
/ɪnˈfleɪm/
(formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they inflame | /ɪnˈfleɪm/ /ɪnˈfleɪm/ |
| he / she / it inflames | /ɪnˈfleɪmz/ /ɪnˈfleɪmz/ |
| past simple inflamed | /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ |
| past participle inflamed | /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ |
| -ing form inflaming | /ɪnˈfleɪmɪŋ/ /ɪnˈfleɪmɪŋ/ |
- to cause very strong feelings, especially anger or excitement, in a person or in a group of people
- inflame somebody/something His comments have inflamed teachers all over the country.
- Her defiance inflamed his jealousy yet further.
- The latest revelations are set to inflame public opinion still further.
- be inflamed with something Her sister was inflamed with jealousy.
- inflame something to make a situation worse or more difficult to deal with
- The situation was further inflamed by the arrival of the security forces.
Word OriginMiddle English enflaume, inflaume, from Old French enflammer, from Latin inflammare, from in- ‘into’ + flamma ‘flame’.