# ember

/ˈɛmbɝ/ (US) · /ˈɛmbɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ember
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a small piece of wood that is still burning but not bright. In old stories, it often represents a tiny spark of hope or life that remains after everything else is gone.

For teachers: a glowing fragment of wood or coal that has not yet extinguished. In a religious or literary context, it frequently serves as a metaphor for a small but persistent spark of faith, hope, or life.

## Examples

- He blew on the ember to make it burn again.
- The old man sat by the dying ember of the fire, trying to keep the last bit of warmth.
- The poet describes the soul as a tiny ember, flickering in the darkness of the world, waiting for the breath of divine grace to reignite its flame.

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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.