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flare

Pronunciation: /flɛː/

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Definition of flare

noun

  • 1a sudden brief burst of bright flame or light:the flare of the match lit up his face
  • a device producing a very bright flame, used especially as a signal or marker:a distress flare [as modifier]:a flare gun
  • [in singular] a sudden burst of intense emotion:she felt a flare of anger within her
  • a sudden recurrence of an inflammation or other medical condition:corticosteroid treatment for colitis flares
  • Astronomy a sudden explosion in the chromosphere and corona of the sun or another star, resulting in an intense burst of radiation. See also solar flare.
  • [mass noun] Photography extraneous illumination on film caused by internal reflection in the camera.
  • 2a gradual widening in shape, especially towards the hem of a garment.
  • (flares) trousers whose legs get progressively wider from the knees down.
  • [mass noun] an upward and outward curve of a ship’s bows, designed to throw the water outwards when in motion.

verb

[no object]
  • 1burn or shine with a sudden intensity:the bonfire crackled and flared up behind him, lightning flared
  • (of a situation or emotion) suddenly become intense or violent:tempers flared as supporters scuffled with other passengers the controversy flared up again in 2003
  • (flare up) (of a person) suddenly become angry:she flared up, shouting at Geoffrey
  • 2 (often as adjective flared) gradually become wider at one end:a flared skirt the dress flared out into a huge train
  • (of a person’s nostrils) dilate: his head lifted fractionally, his nostrils flaring
  • [with object] (of a person) cause (the nostrils) to dilate.

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'spread out one's hair'): of unknown origin. Current senses date from the 17th century

Do not confuse flair with flare. Flair means 'a natural ability or talent' (she had a flair for languages), whereas flare means 'burn suddenly' or 'become wider' (a flared skirt).

flare in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of flare in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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