wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 

1

: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area

2

: greek fire

3

: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)

4

: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)

Phrases

like wildfire

: very rapidly

the news spread like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.

Recent Examples on the Web

Due date for individuals and businesses affected by wildfires and straight-line winds in southern California that began on January 7, 2025. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

An unusually large wildfire rampaged through southeast Miami-Dade this week. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025

Electric grid systems are vulnerable to more disruptions from severe weather and wildfires made more frequent and severe in part due to climate change. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

The approval of the projects, one to repair a damaged home and two for full rebuilds, according to the Department of Building and Safety, represents a key milestone in the recovery from January’s devastating wildfires. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wildfire

• spread like wildfire

Rhymes for wildfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r 

: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area