a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame.

a burning mass of material, as on a hearth or in a furnace.

the destructive burning of a building, town, forest, etc.; conflagration.

heat used for cooking, esp. the lighted burner of a stove

Put the kettle on the fire.

Greek fire.

flashing light; luminous appearance.

brilliance, as of a gem.

burning passion; excitement or enthusiasm; ardor.

liveliness of imagination.

fever or inflammation.

severe trial or trouble; ordeal.

exposure to fire as a means of torture or ordeal.

strength, as of an alcoholic beverage.

a spark or sparks.

the discharge of firearms

enemy fire.

the effect of firing military weapons

to pour fire upon the enemy.

British . a gas or electric heater used for heating a room.

Literary . a luminous object, as a star

heavenly fires.

to set on fire.

to supply with fuel; attend to the fire of

They fired the boiler.

to expose to the action of fire; subject to heat.

to apply heat to in a kiln for baking or glazing; burn.

to heat very slowly for the purpose of drying, as tea.

to inflame, as with passion; fill with ardor.

to inspire.

to light or cause to glow as if on fire.

to discharge (a gun).

to project (a bullet or the like) by or as if by discharging from a gun.

to subject to explosion or explosive force, as a mine.

to hurl; throw

to fire a stone through a window.

to dismiss from a job.

Veterinary Medicine . to apply a heated iron to (the skin) in order to create a local inflammation of the superficial structures, with the intention of favorably affecting deeper inflammatory processes.

to drive out or away by or as by fire.

to take fire; be kindled.

to glow as if on fire.

to become inflamed with passion; become excited.

to shoot, as a gun.

to discharge a gun

to fire at a fleeing enemy.

to hurl a projectile.

Music . to ring the bells of a chime all at once.

(of plant leaves) to turn yellow or brown before the plant matures.

(of an internal-combustion engine) to cause ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder or cylinders.

(of a nerve cell) to discharge an electric impulse. ?

fire away, Informal . to begin to talk and continue without slackening, as to ask a series of questions

The reporters fired away at the president.

fire off,

to discharge (as weapons, ammunition, etc.)

Police fired off canisters of tear gas.

to write and send hurriedly

She fired off an angry letter to her congressman.

between two fires

under physical or verbal attack from two or more sides simultaneously

The senator is between two fires because of his stand on the bill.

build a fire under, Informal . to cause or urge to take action, make a decision quickly

or work faster

If somebody doesn't build a fire under that committee, it will never reach a decision.

catch fire

Also, catch on fire. to become ignited; burn

The sofa caught fire from a lighted cigarette.

to create enthusiasm

His new book did not catch fire among his followers.

fight fire with fire

to use the same tactics as one's opponent; return like for like.

go through fire and water

to brave any danger or endure any trial

He said he would go through fire and water to win her hand.

hang fire

to be delayed in exploding, or fail to explode.

to be undecided, postponed, or delayed

The new housing project is hanging fire because of concerted opposition.

miss fire

to fail to explode or discharge, as a firearm.

to fail to produce the desired effect; be unsuccessful

He repeated the joke, but it missed fire the second time.

on fire

ignited; burning; afire.

eager; ardent; zealous

They were on fire to prove themselves in competition.

play with fire

to trifle with a serious or dangerous matter

He didn't realize that insulting the border guards was playing with fire.

set fire to

to cause to burn; ignite.

to excite; arouse; inflame

The painting set fire to the composer's imagination. Also, set on fire.

take fire

to become ignited; burn.

to become inspired with enthusiasm or zeal

Everyone who heard him speak immediately took fire.

under fire

under attack, esp. by military forces.

under censure or criticism

The school administration is under fire for its policies.

noun

apathy , dullness , lethargy , spiritlessness

verb

bore , dull , hire

noun

blaze , bonfire , campfire , charring , coals , combustion , conflagration , devouring , element , embers , flame and smoke , flames , flare , glow , hearth , heat , holocaust , hot spot , incandescence , inferno , luminosity , oxidation , phlogiston , pyre , rapid oxidation , scintillation , scorching , sea of flames , searing , sparks , tinder , up in smoke , warmth , attack , bombarding , bombardment , bombing , cannonade , cannonading , crossfire , explosion , fusillade , hail , round , salvo , shelling , sniping , volley , ardor , brio , calenture , dash , drive , eagerness , lan , energy , enthusiasm , excitement , exhilaration , fervency , fervor , force , ginger , gusto , heartiness , impetuosity , intensity , life , light , liveliness , luster , passion , pep * , punch * , radiance , red heat * , snap * , sparkle , spirit , splendor , starch , verve , vim , virtuosity , vivacity , white heat * , zeal , zing , zip , flame , flare-up , zealousness , brilliance , brilliancy , genius , inspiration , balefire , beacon , burning , deflagration , feu de joie_ , ignition , spontaneous combustion

verb

enkindle , ignite , kindle , light , put a match to , set ablaze , set aflame , set alight , set fire to , set on fire , start a fire , touch off * , cast , discharge , eject , explode , fling , heave , hurl , launch , let off * , loose , pitch , pull trigger , set off * , shell , shoot , toss , animate , electrify , enliven , enthuse , exalt , galvanize , heighten , impassion , incite , inflame , inform , inspire , inspirit , intensify , intoxicate , irritate , provoke , quicken , rouse , stir , thrill , ax * , boot * , can * , drop , expel , give bum’s rush , give marching orders , give one notice , give pink slip , give the sack , hand walking papers , kick out * , lay off , let one go , oust , pink slip * , sack * , terminate , blast , blow , burst , detonate , fulminate , go off , touch off , hurtle , project , propel , dart , dash , shy , sling , cashier , release