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
5
: the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person
6
: an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message
flamed; flaming
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
1
: to send or convey by means of flame
flame a message by signal fires
2
3
: to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about
flamer
noun
Synonyms
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
Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The families who built their wooden shacks and concrete houses in Section 14 were removed to make way for luxury properties, such as a Hilton hotel, and residents like Pearl Devers watched her neighborhood go up in flames while local firefighters stood nearby.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
And for campfire cookouts, what could be more iconic than a steaming pot of saucy beans hanging over the open flames?
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Democrats didn't exactly pour water on the flames of division, either.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Olympic Torch In 1984, the idea was having runners carry the Olympic flame every five kilometers all the way to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire emanating from the single-story house and began fighting the flames with two hoses.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
There are separate tattoos inspired by the couple’s three young boys — a peaceful dove for Calem, an abstract flame for Edan, and a crest with a shield and swords for Amory.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Individual tickets runs from $55 to $85 and most events begin at 6:30 p.m.
Live music, open flame cooking, and small plate samples will also be featured in the series of events.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Holly J. Morris, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
These taco night ingredients aren't as spicy as some of the others in this best taco recipe list, making this Peruvian twist perfect for anyone who doesn't love flaming heat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fans are eating up the flaming hot look the co-owner of the Kansas City Current soccer team and wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed off on Instagram Wednesday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
There is the flaming red wig worn by Lucille Ball in Du Barry Was a Lady, the gate from Jane Russell’s childhood home, Jean Harlow’s bottle of Mitsouko perfume, jewelry worn by Carole Lombard, and Mae West’s personal telephone.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Florida State The Seminoles enter the offseason flaming mad that they were denied a spot in the playoff after an undefeated season and ACC championship.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Beals said students sent flaming paper towels into her bathroom stall.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There was talk of flaming duck and a chocolate fountain.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
Water was transparent, and flames flickered seemingly at random.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
The families who built their wooden shacks and concrete houses in Section 14 were removed to make way for luxury properties, such as a Hilton hotel, and residents like Pearl Devers watched her neighborhood go up in flames while local firefighters stood nearby.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
And for campfire cookouts, what could be more iconic than a steaming pot of saucy beans hanging over the open flames?
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Democrats didn't exactly pour water on the flames of division, either.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
Olympic Torch In 1984, the idea was having runners carry the Olympic flame every five kilometers all the way to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire emanating from the single-story house and began fighting the flames with two hoses.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
There are separate tattoos inspired by the couple’s three young boys — a peaceful dove for Calem, an abstract flame for Edan, and a crest with a shield and swords for Amory.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Individual tickets runs from $55 to $85 and most events begin at 6:30 p.m.
Live music, open flame cooking, and small plate samples will also be featured in the series of events.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
This week, topics thrown into the flaming quiz pyre include high-energy physics, beloved snacks, music traditions and, of course, viral animals.
—Holly J. Morris, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
These taco night ingredients aren't as spicy as some of the others in this best taco recipe list, making this Peruvian twist perfect for anyone who doesn't love flaming heat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Fans are eating up the flaming hot look the co-owner of the Kansas City Current soccer team and wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed off on Instagram Wednesday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
There is the flaming red wig worn by Lucille Ball in Du Barry Was a Lady, the gate from Jane Russell’s childhood home, Jean Harlow’s bottle of Mitsouko perfume, jewelry worn by Carole Lombard, and Mae West’s personal telephone.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Florida State The Seminoles enter the offseason flaming mad that they were denied a spot in the playoff after an undefeated season and ACC championship.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024
Beals said students sent flaming paper towels into her bathroom stall.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There was talk of flaming duck and a chocolate fountain.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flame.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flame
Cite this Entry
“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flame. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flame
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 e-mail
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
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