flame

1 of 2

noun

ˈflām 

1

: the glowing gaseous part of a fire

2

a

: a state of blazing combustion

the car burst into flame

b

: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning: such as

(1)

: burning zeal or passion

(2)

: a strong reddish-orange color

3

: brilliance, brightness

4

: sweetheart sense 2

5

: the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person

broadly : memory

keeper of the flame

6

: an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

flame

2 of 2

verb

flamed; flaming

intransitive verb

1

: to burn with a flame : blaze

2

a

: to burst or break out violently or passionately

flaming with indignation

b

: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

3

: to shine brightly : glow

color flaming up in her cheeks

transitive verb

1

: to send or convey by means of flame

flame a message by signal fires

2

: to treat or affect with flame: such as

a

: to sear, sterilize, or destroy by fire

b

: flambé

3

: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about

flamer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• beloved
• darling
• dear
• hon
• honey
• love
• squeeze [slang]
• sweet
• sweetheart
• sweetie
• sweetie pie
• truelove

Verb

• blaze
• burn
• combust
• glow

Examples of flame in a Sentence

Noun

the flame of a candle

We built a fire and roasted marshmallows over the flames.

They tried to put out the fire, but the flames grew higher.

The engine burst into flame.

Verb

A fire flamed in the oven.

The sun flamed through the clouds.

color flaming in her cheeks

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the final days of the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical experiment in self-governance and insurrection that started after the nation’s humiliating military loss to Prussia, the Communards realized that their cause had gone up in flames. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025

The resolution, put forward by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, is intended to put Republicans on the record for a policy that economists say will increase prices for consumers and fan the flames of an international trade war. —John Bacon, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Ash People, who bear red headdresses and have ash smeared across their faces, then attack Jake and Neytiri with a barrage of flaming arrows. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Scores of people in Malaysia were being treated in hospitals on Tuesday after a huge fire broke out at a gas pipeline operated by state energy giant Petronas, showering flaming debris from the sky and shattering windows. —Huey Mun Leong and Danial Azhar, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flaume, flaumbe, from Anglo-French flame (from Latin flamma) & flambe, flamble, from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma flame; akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flame

• eternal flame
• flame cell
• flame out
• flame photometer
• flame-retardant
• flame stitch
• flame tree
• pre-flame

Rhymes for flame

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

flame

1 of 2 noun

ˈflām 

1

: the glowing gas that makes up part of a fire

2

: a state of burning brightly

the car burst into flame

a building in flames

3

: a condition or appearance suggesting a flame

4

: the person one is in love with : sweetheart

an old flame

5

: a hostile or rude electronic message

sent me a flame by email

flame

2 of 2 verb

flamed; flaming

1

: to burn with a flame : blaze

2

: to burst or break out violently

flaming with anger

3

: to shine brightly

4

: to treat or affect by flame or fire

especially : to sterilize by a flame

5

: to send a hostile or rude electronic message to or about

Medical Definition

flame

transitive verb

ˈflām 

flamed; flaming

: to cleanse or sterilize by fire