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to fire

to fire

6 1.0
To burn something to destroy it
  • verb
  • /faɪər/
: incendiar
  • And then when you fire it, the weed-- the weeds burn off.

Examples

  • She did what she failed to do a year ago, set the whole place to fire.

  • And in turn, the maroon set fire to his house.

  • And it also set fire to Seven World Trade Center.

  • And he set fire to the clutch.

  • Then Carlota, with her machine gun and Commander Toni fired to set them on fire.

  • Fire the barns.

  • Korboga, accusing his commanders of treachery, possibly correctly, set fire to his camp and withdrew.

  • The children accidentally fired their old toys in the bonfire.

  • In the midst of the forest, they fired a pile of dry leaves to clear the area.

  • During the camp, we fired a wooden log to create warmth for the night.

Synonyms

to burn
vsto fire
∞ 1.0

To be on fire or damage something with heat

is narrower, focusing on causing destruction or damage by burning
to burn down
vsto fire
291 3.0

To destroy a building or object completely by fire

can mean damage rather than total destruction or collapse
to set on fire
vsto fire
145 3.0

Make something start burning

may mean only starting to burn rather than causing lasting damage
to burn up
vsto fire
86 3.7

To be completely destroyed by fire

involves damage or destruction but not always total consumption
to torch
vsto fire
85 6.5

To set fire to something on purpose

is broader, including accidental or unintended burning causing damage
to ignite
vsto fire
69 4.0

To make something start burning

is about causing burning, not necessarily causing serious damage
to scorch
vsto fire
29 4.8

To burn something completely so it is destroyed

is used for general damage rather than the vivid image of total consumption
to combust
vsto fire
13 7.4

To catch fire or make something burn

is about destroying or damaging by burning rather than mere ignition
to set ablaze
vsto fire
10 4.8

To make something start burning

may mean damage without the intense dramatic burning image
to set afire
vsto fire
7 4.1

Make something start to burn

may describe destruction but often only refers to starting the burn
to set aflame
vsto fire
3 5.1

To make something start burning

emphasizes damage by burning rather than merely causing ignition
to set alight
vsto fire
  • UK
3 4.2

To make something start burning

often means damage but can simply refer to making something burn
to inflame
vsto fire
1 5.7

To make something start burning, for example paper or dry grass

is focused on causing harm by burning rather than just ignition
to incinerate
vsto fire
1 7.4

To burn until it turns to ash

means general destruction or damage rather than total consumption to ashes
to enkindle
vsto fire
  • Archaic
1 9.1

To make something start to burn, like a fire or a strong feeling

is literal and stresses actual damage rather than figurative use
to conflagrate
vsto fire
9.9

To set fire to something

focuses on damage or destruction rather than merely causing ignition

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

504 3.4

To keep people and things safe from harm or change

Idioms

483 1.0

Burning with flames and smoke

under fire
  • Literature
64 5.0

Receiving strong criticism or being shot at, often in public

on fire
  • Informal
43 4.7

Doing something very well and with great success

26 5.8

To take a big risk that can cause harm

12 5.3

To use the same harsh methods as someone who attacks you

Make someone do what they promised or take responsibility by pressuring them

8 7.1

To have a big success that many people notice

6 5.9

To make a bad situation worse by saying or doing something that makes people angrier

6 5.7

Work at the best possible level

5 8.9

A shouted warning that a blast or sudden danger is about to happen

4 6.6

A strong wish to succeed that makes you try very hard

If there are signs of a problem, it is probably true

ball of fire
  • Informal
3 5.4

A person who is very energetic and enthusiastic

A strong inner feeling that makes someone want to do something

Escaping a bad situation and ending in a much worse one

1 9.9

A short shout that shows surprise or strong excitement

Make a bad situation worse by what you say or do

To start a project or activity

1 8.9

Strong energy and passion that continue even when someone gets older

Save someone from a difficult situation at the last moment

1 7.3

To make a bad situation worse by saying or doing something

To cause great excitement or a big effect, often said to mean something is not impressive

To pay attention to something unimportant instead of the main task

Phrasal Verbs

145 3.0

Make something start burning

to fire up
  • Informal
124 4.1

Make people feel excited and ready to act

117 4.1

Start shooting at people or things with a gun

87 2.6

To start burning suddenly

to fire up
  • Informal
57 3.5

Turn on a computer or other device so it starts working

44 5.6

To stop shooting or attacking and wait before taking action

to fire away
  • Informal
15 5.6

Start asking questions or speaking freely when allowed

12 6.7

To make someone want to work harder and faster

to catch fire
  • Texting
12 3.7

To become very popular quickly, especially online

8 6.7

To attract criticism and angry reactions for what you say or do

Stop a fire burning and spreading

To put extra fuel on a fire or make a disagreement worse

to fire up
  • Informal
3 5.5

Light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe to smoke

3 8.3

Start to be shot at

2 4.8

Start burning and produce flames

To cry 'fire' when there is none to make people panic

to hang fire
  • Informal
1 8.0

To delay making a decision or taking action

1 4.3

Start attacking someone strongly by shooting or with strong words

to stand fire
  • Archaic
1 7.9

To face danger, criticism, or pressure without showing fear

1 8.6

To find new energy or passion for something

Compounds

155 4.1

An agreement between fighting sides to stop fighting, often to allow peace talks

145 1.1

A group that sends people to put out fires and help in emergencies in the local area

55 2.7

A staircase or metal ladder on the outside of a building used to get out during a fire

40 1.0

A loud signal that warns people there is a fire or smoke

39 1.8

A big vehicle that carries firefighters and tools to put out fires

A portable metal can you use to spray chemicals to put out small fires

29 1.8

A large uncontrolled burning of trees in a forest that causes much damage

28 1.3

A building where firefighters and fire engines stay and go to fires

friendly fire
  • Specialized
26 6.5

Accidental attack that injures your own soldiers or allies

26 2.9

A person in charge of firefighters and their work in a city or town

22 2.3

A large strong hose that firefighters use to carry water to put out fires

21 5.3

A situation where someone risks being harmed or strongly criticized

19 2.1

A tall pipe in the street with a tap for firefighters to get water

19 1.6

A large vehicle that carries firefighters and tools to fight fires

19 2.4

A practice where people leave a building to be safe during a fire or other emergency

fire marshal
  • Formal
18 3.8

A person who makes sure buildings are safe from fire, investigates fires, and enforces fire safety rules

Able to blow fire from the mouth like a dragon

13 4.4

Certain to work and bring success

covering fire
  • Specialized
12 7.7

Intense gunfire aimed near an enemy to keep them from shooting back while friendly troops move

11 7.9

Soldiers fire explosive shells in a high arc at a target from the ground

11 2.9

An outdoor place that holds a fire for warmth or cooking

artillery fire
  • Specialized
11 6.9

A heavy attack by military guns and cannons on enemy positions

10 4.2

People sell goods at very low prices because they must sell quickly

10 3.6

A small reddish-brown insect that stings and causes a burning pain

Strong religious warnings about hell and God's punishment

line of fire
  • Specialized
8 5.5

The path a bullet or other shot follows after being fired

7 3.2

A door that stops fire and smoke from spreading between parts of a building

fire code
  • Formal
7 3.4

A set of rules made by authorities about buildings to prevent fires and keep people safe

6 4.1

A small uncontrolled fire that burns bushes and shrubs

6 2.3

A team of people who put out flames and help in emergencies

fire control
  • Specialized
6 6.8

To prepare and direct large guns to hit a target in battle

fire-retardant
  • Specialized
6 4.4

Not easy to burn because it has a special treatment

hair-on-fire
  • Informal
5 9.1

People act in a panic and work very quickly to solve a problem

5 8.6

A performer who puts fire into their mouth to entertain people

field of fire
  • Specialized
5 8.8

The area a gun can hit from one position

trial by fire
  • Informal
4 7.4

A very difficult test that shows if someone can do a job under pressure

fire insurance
  • Specialized
4 3.2

A plan that helps pay to repair or rebuild property after a fire

4 4.9

Loud shots from large guns used in an attack

4 4.2

A fire lit to attract attention and show where people are

A performer who blows fuel from the mouth to make a flame

hostile fire
  • Specialized
4 7.0

An attack in which an enemy shoots at people

3 3.5

A group of trained people who fight fires in a local area

3 9.9

A burning liquid used as a weapon by the Byzantine navy that burns on water

3 2.0

A bell that rings to warn people about a fire

red fire
  • Specialized
2 7.4

A bright red flame that comes from burning chemicals and people use in fireworks and flares

2 7.1

Fire from several weapons aimed together at one target

direct fire
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Shooting at a target you can see with weapons like a tank or rifle

2 7.3

A large fast fire that burns across dry grassland and spreads quickly in strong wind

call fire
  • Specialized
2 9.6

Artillery or aircraft attack a specific target after a unit asks for it

2 5.4

A tall tower in a forest where a person looks for smoke to find fires

A sudden strong flash of flames or energy that happens quickly

2 3.1

A fire made by burning garbage outside

ground fire
  • Specialized
2 7.1

A slow burn in the layer of dead leaves and wood under the soil, often without visible flames

fire hose
  • Informal
2 6.1

A very large fast flow of questions or messages that is hard to handle

baptism of fire
  • Informal
2 7.7

A first hard experience that tests someone's ability and courage

suppressive fire
  • Specialized
2 7.8

Continuous gunfire aimed at an enemy to stop them firing or moving so friendly troops can advance

antiaircraft fire
  • Specialized
2 5.9

Gunfire from the ground aimed at enemy planes to stop an air attack

indirect fire
  • Specialized
1 8.2

Shooting at a target you cannot see using calculations or people who watch

1 2.3

A very large bright fire that burns strongly

St. Elmo's fire
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A blue glow that appears on pointed objects like ship masts or airplane wings during thunderstorms

fire hall
  • Canadian
1 2.3

A building where firefighters keep equipment, work, and hold community events

fire watching
  • Archaic
1 8.8

An activity of watching for and putting out small fires during a war

fire control system
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A system that finds and aims weapons at military targets on ships or tanks

barrage fire
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A long heavy stream of shots from large guns across a wide area to hit many places

1 3.1

A small heater that plugs into the wall and looks like a fireplace

fire control radar
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A system that uses radio waves to aim and fire weapons at military targets

supporting fire
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Gunfire by other soldiers or tanks that protects attacking soldiers from the enemy

1 3.5

A screen placed in front of an open fire to stop sparks from flying into the room

1 6.0

A deep hole at a volcano with hot, glowing lava at the bottom

1 5.3

A person who watches over a forest or park to prevent and fight fires

beacon fire
  • Archaic
1 8.3

A fire lit on a hill or tower to signal people far away

watch fire
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A fire kept burning at night to signal people far away

1 6.0

A metal tool like a poker or tongs that you use to tend a fire in a fireplace

How Burned

to incinerate
43 7.1
to torch
85 6.5
to fire
6 1.0
to scorch
12 3.5
to singe
6 4.2

Surface Forms

fire infinitive
fired past
fired past participle
firing present participle
fires third person singular

Etymology

Fire meaning 'to burn or destroy by burning' comes from the same root fyr meaning 'flame', so to 'fire' a building means to set it on fire and burn it. The modern use keeps the basic idea of flames doing damage.