# fire

/ˈfaɪɝ/ (US) · /fˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fire
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. heat and flames

noun · CEFR A1

the heat, light, and flames produced when something burns.

For teachers: the state of combustion or the visible effect of a chemical reaction involving fuel and oxygen.

- We sat around the camp fire to keep warm during the cold night.
- The investigators determined that the fire had originated in the basement due to faulty electrical wiring near the furnace.

### 2. shooting weapons

noun · CEFR B1

the act of shooting bullets or shells from guns.

For teachers: the discharge of firearms or artillery; often used in military contexts.

- The soldiers were ordered to hold their fire until the enemy was closer.
- The heavy artillery fire continued throughout the night, making it impossible for the rescue teams to reach the stranded civilians.

### 3. strong emotion

noun · CEFR B2

a strong feeling of passion, anger, or energy.

For teachers: intense enthusiasm, passion, or spirit; often used to describe intellectual or emotional drive.

- You could see the fire in her eyes as she talked about her new project.
- The young pianist played with such fire and technical precision that the audience remained silent for several seconds after the final note.

### 4. to dismiss from a job

verb · CEFR B1

to tell someone they can no longer work at their job, usually because of a problem.

For teachers: to terminate an employment contract, typically due to poor performance or misconduct.

- The company had to fire him after he was late for work three times in a week.
- The board of directors voted to fire the CEO following the revelation of the accounting scandal.

### 5. to shoot a weapon

verb · CEFR A2

to shoot a gun or other weapon.

For teachers: to discharge a firearm, missile, or other projectile weapon.

- The hunter fired his rifle at the target in the distance.
- The naval vessel fired a warning shot across the bow of the unidentified ship to signal it to stop.

### 6. to heat ceramics

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to heat clay or bricks in a very hot oven to make them hard.

For teachers: to subject ceramics or glass to high heat in a kiln to achieve a permanent state of hardness or glaze.

- The artist needs to fire the clay pots in the kiln overnight.
- If the porcelain is not fired at the correct temperature, the glaze will fail to bond properly with the surface.

### 7. excellent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

very good, impressive, or cool.

For teachers: of exceptional quality; highly impressive or aesthetically pleasing.

- That new song is fire; I have been listening to it all day.
- The production on his latest album is absolutely fire, blending vintage synths with modern trap beats seamlessly.

## Examples

- We sat around the fire to stay warm.
- The campers gathered dry wood to start a fire before the sun went down.
- Fire investigators spent several days sifted through the charred remains of the warehouse to determine the exact point of ignition.

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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.