# blaze

/ˈbɫeɪz/ (US) · /blˈeɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blaze
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a large fire

noun · CEFR B2

a very large and bright fire that burns strongly.

For teachers: a large, intense, and fast-burning fire characterized by significant flame and light production.

- Firefighters worked through the night to put out the blaze at the old factory.
- The dry timber in the warehouse acted as fuel, turning a small spark into a massive blaze within minutes.

### 2. bright light

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a sudden or very bright light or display of color.

For teachers: a brilliant or dazzling display of light or color.

- The garden was a blaze of color with all the flowers in bloom.
- The setting sun turned the glass skyscrapers into a blaze of gold that blinded the commuters below.

### 3. to burn brightly

verb · CEFR B2

to burn or shine with a very bright and strong flame.

For teachers: to burn or shine with intense heat and light; often used intransitively.

- A warm fire was blazing in the fireplace when we arrived home.
- The midday sun blazed down on the desert, making the air ripple with heat.

### 5. to fire a gun

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to shoot a gun many times very quickly.

For teachers: to fire a gun or series of shots rapidly and continuously.

- The soldiers were blazing away at the targets during their morning practice.
- In the final scene of the movie, the hero comes out with guns blazing to face his enemies.

Usage: Often used with 'away'.

### 6. to smoke marijuana

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang

to smoke marijuana.

For teachers: to consume cannabis by smoking.

- They were blazing in the park after the concert ended.
- The group retreated to the balcony to blaze before the movie started.

## Examples

- Firefighters fought the blaze for several hours.
- The old wooden warehouse was quickly consumed by a massive blaze that could be seen from miles away.
- The autumn forest was a blaze of orange and gold, reflecting the final intensity of the season before the first frost arrived to strip the branches bare.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.