fire

Pronunciation: /ˈfʌɪə/

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Definition of fire

noun

[mass noun]

1a process in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke; combustion or burning:his house was destroyed by fire
[count noun] a destructive burning of something:a fire at a hotel
[count noun] a collection of fuel, especially coal or wood, burnt in a controlled way to provide heat or a means for cooking:we had a bath in a tin tub by the fire
[count noun] (also electric fire or gas fire) chiefly British a domestic heating appliance that uses electricity or gas as fuel: she was freezing and keeping the fire low to save money
one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology (considered essential to the nature of the signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius): [as modifier]:a fire sign

2a burning sensation: [count noun]:the whisky lit a fire in the back of his throat
fervent or passionate emotion or enthusiasm:the fire of their religious conviction
literary a glowing or luminous quality:their soft smiles light the air like a star’s fire

3the shooting of projectiles from weapons, especially bullets from guns:a burst of machine-gun fire
strong criticism or antagonism:he directed his fire against policies promoting American capital flight

verb

[with object]

1discharge a gun or other weapon in order to propel (a bullet or projectile):he fired a shot at the retreating prisoners they fired off a few rounds
discharge (a gun or other weapon):another gang fired a pistol through the window of a hostel [no object]:troops fired on crowds
[no object] (of a gun) be discharged: the first gun fired
direct (questions or statements, especially unwelcome ones) towards someone in rapid succession:they fired questions at me for what seemed like ages
(fire something off) send a message aggressively:he fired off a letter informing her that he regarded the matter with the utmost seriousness

2 informal dismiss (an employee) from a job:I had to fire men who’ve been with me for years you’re fired!

3supply (a furnace, engine, etc.) with fuel: liquefied petroleum gas can fire room heaters
[no object] (of an internal-combustion engine) undergo ignition of its fuel when started:the engine fired and she pushed her foot down on the accelerator
archaic set fire to:I fired the straw

4stimulate or excite (the imagination or an emotion):India fired my imagination
fill (someone) with enthusiasm:he was fired up for last season’s FA Cup final
[no object] (fire up) archaic show sudden anger:If I were to hear anyone speak slightingly of you, I should fire up in a moment

5bake or dry (pottery, bricks, etc.) in a kiln: methane gas is being used to fire bricks at a nearby factory

Phrases

breathe fire: be extremely angry:I don’t want an indignant boyfriend on my doorstep breathing fire
catch fire: begin to burn: the driver had got out before the car had caught fire; become interesting or exciting:the show never caught fire
fire and brimstone: the supposed torments of hell:his father was preaching fire and brimstone sermons
fire away: informal used to give someone permission to begin speaking, typically to ask questions:‘I want to clear up some questions which have been puzzling me.’ ‘Fire away.’
fire in the (or one's) belly: a powerful sense of ambition or determination: he lacks the fire in his belly necessary to seek the presidency
firing on all cylinders: working or functioning at a peak level: neither conductor nor orchestra are really firing on all cylinders
go on fire: Scottish & Irish begin to burn; catch fire: an oil rig went on fire
go through fire (and water): face any peril.
light a fire under: North American stimulate (someone) to work or act more quickly or enthusiastically: claiming that Congress doesn’t work hard enough is a good way to light a fire under his colleagues
on fire: in flames; burning: the house was on fire; in a state of excitement:Wright is now on fire with confidence
set fire to: cause to burn; ignite: the town’s police station was set on fire
set the world on fire (also set the world alight): do something remarkable or sensational:the film hasn’t exactly set the world on fire the team includes great players who could set the world alight
take fire: start to burn: petrol from the upturned car flooded across the street and took fire
under fire: being shot at:observers sent to look for the men came under heavy fire; being rigorously criticized:the president was under fire from all sides
where's the fire?: informal used to ask someone why they are in such a hurry or state of excitement: ‘Where’s the fire?’ he demanded, as Sergeant Ellers turned on the siren

Derivatives

fireless
firer

Origin:

Old English fȳr (noun), fȳrian 'supply with material for a fire', of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer

fire in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of fire in the US English dictionary

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Other

fire

noun

verb

Phrases

breathe fire

catch fire

fire and brimstone

fire away

fire in the (or one's) belly

firing on all cylinders

go on fire

go through fire (and water)

light a fire under

on fire

set fire to

set the world on fire (also set the world alight)

take fire

under fire

where's the fire?

Derivatives

fireless

firer

Origin:

fire in other Oxford dictionaries

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