ironServices.com

English Dictionary

  • Hide translation

 fire fire /ˈfaɪr/

noun

  1. () The event of something burning (often destructive)  ( fire )
    the event of something burning (often destructive)
     They lost everything in the fire
    they lost everything in the fire
  2. () The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy  ( firing , fire )
    the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
     Hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
    hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
     They retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
    they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
  3. () The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke  ( flaming , fire , flame )
    the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
     Fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
    fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
  4. () A fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning  ( fire )
    a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning
     They sat by the fire and talked
    they sat by the fire and talked
  5. () Feelings of great warmth and intensity  ( ardor [American] , ardour [Canadian, British] , fervency , fervidness , fervor [American] , fervour [Canadian, British] , fire )
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
     He spoke with great ardor
    he spoke with great ardor
  6. () Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)  ( fire )
    once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
     Ancient civilizations believed that fire was one of the primary elements of the universe.
    Ancient civilizations believed that fire was one of the primary elements of the universe.
  7. Intense adverse criticism  ( blast , fire , flack , attack , flak [Informal] )
    intense adverse criticism
     Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
    Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
     The government has come under attack
    the government has come under attack
     Don't give me any flak
    don't give me any flak
  8. A severe trial  ( fire )
    a severe trial
     He went through fire and damnation
    he went through fire and damnation
  9. Fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking  ( fire )
    fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking
     Put the kettle on the fire
    put the kettle on the fire
     Barbecue over an open fire
    barbecue over an open fire

verb

  1. () Start firing a weapon  ( open fire , fire )
    start firing a weapon
  2. () Cause to go off  ( discharge , fire )
    cause to go off
     Fire a gun
    fire a gun
     Fire a bullet
    fire a bullet
  3. () (cooking) bake in a kiln so as to harden  ( fire )
    (cooking) bake in a kiln so as to harden
     Fire pottery
    fire pottery
  4. () Terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position  ( dismiss , displace , force out , give notice , give the axe [Informal] , give the sack , sack , send away , terminate , can [Informal, N. American] , fire )
    terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position
     The boss fired his secretary today
    The boss fired his secretary today
     The company terminated 25% of its workers
    The company terminated 25% of its workers
  5. () Go off or discharge  ( discharge , go off , fire )
    go off or discharge
     The gun fired
    The gun fired
  6. () Destroy by fire  ( fire , burn down , burn )
    destroy by fire
     They burned the house and his diaries
    They burned the house and his diaries
  7. () Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)  ( enkindle , kindle , fire , arouse , elicit , evoke , provoke , raise )
    call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
     Arouse pity
    arouse pity
     Raise a smile
    raise a smile
     Evoke sympathy
    evoke sympathy
  8. () Drive out or away by or as if by fire  ( fire )
    drive out or away by or as if by fire
     The soldiers were fired
    The soldiers were fired
     Surrender fires the cold skepticism
    Surrender fires the cold skepticism
  9. Start or maintain a fire in  ( fire , ignite , light )
    start or maintain a fire in
     Fire the furnace
    fire the furnace
  10. Become ignited  ( fire , flame up )
    become ignited
     The furnace wouldn't fire
    The furnace wouldn't fire
  11. (physiology) generate an electrical impulse  ( fire )
    (physiology) generate an electrical impulse
     The neurons fired fast
    the neurons fired fast
  12. Provide with fuel  ( fire , fuel )
    provide with fuel
     Oil fires the furnace
    Oil fires the furnace