firenoun
uk/faɪər/us/faɪr/fire noun (FLAMES)
A2 [ C or U ] (material that is in) the state of burning that produces flames that send out heat and light, and might produce smoke:
B1 [ C ] a small controlled fire that is used for heating or cooking:
B1 If something is on fire, it is burning when it should not be:
[ C ] UK a gas or electric heater that is used to warm up a room:
More examples
- Both buildings were badly affected by the fire.
- My cat likes dozing in front of the fire.
- The fire was thought to have been caused by a gas explosion.
- The dry weather has increased the risk of brush fires.
- The flames grew larger as the fire spread.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Fire & flame
- beacon
- blaze
- bonfire
- brand
- bush fire
- campfire
- conflagration
- fireball
- firepit
- firestorm
- flame
- flare
- inferno
- open fire
- open fireplace
- pilot
- spark
- wildfire
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
fire noun (SHOOT)
C2 [ U ] the shooting of guns or other weapons:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Guns
- cannon
- cannonade
- cannonball
- charge
- cock
- crossfire
- go off
- gunsmith
- kick
- machine gun
- ordnance
- plug
- point-blank
- potshot
- shoot
- shooter
- shot
- sniper
- snub-nosed
- Taser
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fire noun (EMOTION)
[ U ] strong emotion:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Excitement, interest, energy and enthusiasm
- a new lease of life idiom
- alacrity
- animation
- ardour
- avid
- flap
- frisky
- frisson
- get-up-and-go
- glamour
- gusto
- meaty
- shiver (up and) down your spine idiom
- sparkle
- spice
- spirit
- sprightly
- stimulation
- zap
- zest
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Idiom(s)
fireverb
uk/faɪər/us/faɪr/fire verb (SHOOT)
B2 [ I or T ] to cause a weapon to shoot bullets, arrows, or missiles:
[ T or I ] to direct a series of questions or criticisms at someone:
More examples
- The soldiers were ordered to fire only as a last resort.
- The initial cloud of tear gas had hardly cleared before shots were fired.
- He fired six shots at the target, but his aim was terrible, and he missed all of them.
- The rebels were firing anti-tank rockets.
- The soldiers have been ordered to desist from firing their guns.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Detonation & bombardment
- air raid
- airstrike
- blanket bombing
- blitz
- blitz
- detonator
- direct hit
- dive-bomb
- firebomb
- first strike
- go off
- saturation bombing
- shell
- shoot
- shoot sth down
- shooting
- strafe
- strike
- strike home idiom
- torpedo
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
fire verb (REMOVE FROM A JOB)
B2 [ T ] to remove someone from their job, either because they have done something wrong or badly, or as a way of saving the cost of employing them:
More examples
- He started feeling paranoid and was convinced his boss was going to fire him.
- They have the power to hire and fire managers.
- They fired him when they found out he had a criminal record.
- He's lucky that he wasn't fired.
- After years of loyal service, his boss gave him the shaft by firing him just before he would have qualified for a pension.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Firing staff
- axe
- be out on your ear idiom
- chop
- constructive dismissal
- defrock
- delayering
- furlough
- get the push idiom
- give sb the heave-ho idiom
- heave-ho
- invalid sb out
- pension
- relieve
- relieve sb of sth
- removal
- remove
- retire
- sack
- sacking
- termination
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fire verb (EXCITE)
C2 [ T ] to cause a strong emotion in someone:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Inspiring feelings in others
- amuse
- arouse
- emotive
- enthuse
- freak
- heartstrings
- inflame
- inspirational
- inspire
- invoke
- kindle
- messianic
- move
- moving
- movingly
- overwhelm
- stirring
- touching
fire verb (HEAT)
[ T ] to heat objects made of clay in a kiln (= a special oven) so that they become hard
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ceramics & pottery
- amphora
- bone china
- ceramics
- china
- earthen
- earthenware
- glaze
- kaolin
- kiln
- porcelain
- potter
- potter's wheel
- pottery
- stoneware
- terracotta
- throw