Flame — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈflām/

Meaning & Definition of Flame

Flame (noun)

  1. the glowing gaseous part of a fire
  2. a state of blazing combustion
  3. a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning

Flame (verb)

  1. to burn with a flame, blaze —often used with up
  2. to burst or break out violently or passionately
  3. to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message

Flame (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with whom one is in love

    "decided to look up an old flame while she was in town"

    similar: beloved, darling, dear, hon, honey, love, squeeze (slang), sweet, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetie pie, truelove
    related: beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain, gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie, amour, lover, paramour, doll, duck(s) (chiefly British), pet, date, escort, steady, admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer, groom, husband, bride, wife, significant other, fiancé, intended, crush, heartthrob

Flame (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be on fire especially brightly

    "guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace"

    similar: blaze, burn, combust, glow, go up in flames
    related: catch, enkindle, deflagrate, fire, ignite, kindle, flare (up), light (up), flicker, gutter, waver, bake, broil, char, cook, melt, roast, scorch, swelter, smolder, spark, sputter, beam, brighten, radiate, beat (down), flash, glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, shine, sparkle, twinkle

  2. to develop suddenly and violently

    "my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up"

    similar: blaze (up), break out, burst (forth), erupt, explode, flare (up)
    related: rocket, skyrocket, balloon, burgeon, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, snowball, swell, wax, blow up, detonate, touch off

  3. to shine with a bright harsh light

    "the noonday sun flamed down on the desert travelers"

    similar: beat, blaze, burn, flare, glare
    related: beam, glow, radiate, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle, bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle

  4. to shoot forth bursts of light

    "the actress's ruby necklace flamed dazzlingly under the bright lights"

    similar: coruscate, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster, scintillate, shimmer, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle
    related: beam, radiate, shine, bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle, blaze, burn, flare, glare, glow

Related Entry: Flame out (verb)

Flame out is a different word from Flame. The synonyms below are for flame out, not for flame.

  1. to be unsuccessful

    "even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used"

    similar: bomb, collapse, crater, fail, flop, flunk, fold, founder, miss, strike out, tank, wash out, come a cropper, come to grief, come up empty, die on the vine, fall flat, fall on one's face, fall short, lay an egg
    related: flounder, struggle, decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane, crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire, go under, implode, self-destruct
    opposite: click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out
    near: cook, flourish, prosper, thrive, prevail, triumph, win

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Flame

The most common words with a similar meaning to Flame:

Slang: squeeze
beloved, darling, dear, hon, honey, love, sweet, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetie pie, truelove, blaze, burn, combust, glow, blaze (up), break out, burst (forth), erupt, explode, flare (up), beat, flare, glare, coruscate, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster, scintillate, shimmer, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink

Related Words for Flame

beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain, gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie, amour, lover, paramour, doll, duck(s), pet, date, escort, steady, admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer, groom, husband, bride

Word Forms of Flame

Inflections: flamed, flaming

Derived words: flamer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Flame

Middle English flaume, flaumbe, from Anglo-French flame (from Latin flamma) & flambe, flamble, from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma flame; akin to Latin flagrare to burn black:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Flame

  • Topics: Weather & Nature

Words & Phrases Containing Flame

flame cell, flame out, flame photometer, flame-retardant, flame stitch, flame tree, eternal flame, preflame

Frequently Asked Questions about Flame

What does "Flame" mean?

"Flame" means the glowing gaseous part of a fire. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the glowing gaseous part of a fire. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Flame"?

Other words for "Flame" include beloved, darling, dear, hon, honey, love, squeeze and sweet. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Flame" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Flame"?

There are 123 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Flame". Common alternatives include beloved, darling, dear, hon, honey, love, squeeze, sweet, sweetheart and sweetie.

How do you use "Flame" in a sentence?

Examples of "Flame" in a sentence: "decided to look up an old flame while she was in town"; "guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace"; "my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up".

Is "Flame" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Flame" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Flame"?

"Flame" is pronounced /ˈflām/.

What is the origin of the word "Flame"?

"Flame" comes from Middle English flaume, flaumbe, from Anglo-French flame (from Latin flamma) & flambe, flamble, from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma flame; akin to Latin flagrare to burn black:1. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Flame" meaning "a person with whom one is in love"?

When "Flame" (noun) means a person with whom one is in love, synonyms include beloved, darling, dear, hon, honey and love.