Word
fiery
US/ˈfaɪɝi/
UK/fˈaɪəɹi/
Definitions
01burning or glowing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. burning or glowing with fire.
adj. consisting of, or characterized by, active combustion or intense heat.
“The plane left a fiery trail in the sky as it fell.”
“The meteor entered the atmosphere with a fiery glow, illuminating the night sky for several seconds before disintegrating.”
Antonyms
02brightly coloured
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a bright colour like fire, such as bright red or orange.
adj. having the intense, bright colour of fire, typically applied to hair or sunsets.
“She has fiery red hair that makes her easy to find in a crowd.”
“The evening concluded with a fiery sunset that painted the clouds in deep shades of crimson and gold.”
03emotionally intense
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing very strong emotions, especially anger or passion.
adj. characterized by intense emotion, spirit, or a quick temper.
“The politician gave a fiery speech that made the crowd cheer.”
“Known for her fiery temperament, the conductor was as famous for her backstage arguments as she was for her brilliant performances.”
Synonyms
04spicy or hot
B2 · Upper Intermediate Cooking
adj. tasting very hot and spicy, like it is burning your mouth.
adj. producing a burning sensation in the mouth due to spice or heat.
“I wasn't prepared for how fiery the peppers in this soup would be.”
“The chef added a fiery habanero sauce to the dish, warning the diners that it was not for the faint of heart.”
Real-World Examples
“The US president has had a tense and fiery relationship with the US media throughout his political career.” Etymology
From Middle English fyry, from fyr (“fire”), equivalent to fire + -y. Compare typologically Mongolian галт (galt) (< гал (gal)); Russian пла́менный (plámennyj) (akin to пла́мя (plámja)); Russian вспы́льчивый (vspýlʹčivyj), запа́льчивый (zapálʹčivyj).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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