fire
/ˈfaɪɚ/
Reviewed on
Also a verb
Meaning
The state or process of combustion that produces heat, light, and flames.
Campers gathered around the fire to stay warm during the chilly autumn evening.
Did you remember to put out the fire before leaving the campsite?
Intense passion, enthusiasm, or drive.
The young pianist played the difficult concerto with remarkable fire and emotional intensity.
She lacks the competitive fire needed to succeed at the highest professional level.
Collocations
- catch fire
- set on fire
- competitive fire
Synonyms
- blaze
- passion
Idioms
play with fire
take foolish or dangerous risks
Investing your entire retirement savings into that volatile startup is playing with fire.
add fuel to the fire
worsen an already tense or difficult situation
His angry remarks only added fuel to the fire during the heated debate.
Meaning
To discharge a gun, weapon, or projectile.
The race official fired the starting pistol, and the runners took off.
Did the crew fire the cannon to open the harbor festival?
To dismiss someone permanently from a job.
The company decided to fire the manager after discovering financial discrepancies.
Has anyone ever been fired for arriving late on their first day?
To stimulate enthusiasm, passion, or intense interest in someone.
The guest speaker managed to fire the students' imagination with stories of deep-sea exploration.
Her speech really fired up the volunteers before the final push.
How it's used
When this means “shoot a weapon”
- fire a weapon
- fire at the target
“fired it.”
She fired an arrow at the target and hit the center.
When this means “dismiss an employee”
- fire the employee
“fired him.”
Management fired the employee after the investigation concluded.
Collocations
- open fire
- hold your fire
- get fired
Antonyms
Idioms
under fire
facing severe criticism or attack
The mayor came under fire after announcing the sudden tax increase.