Word
fireside
Phoneticsfire·side
US/ˈfaɪɝˌsaɪd/
UK/fˈaɪəsaɪd/
Countable noun Literary
Definition
n. the area or side of a fire where people sit to keep warm. It often describes a cozy place for talking or relaxing.
n. the side or area of a fire where people gather for warmth or conversation. Often used in the prepositional phrase 'by the fireside'.
Examples
“We sat by the fireside and told stories.”
“The old cabin was perfect for a weekend trip, especially for sitting by the fireside on cold winter nights.”
“The professor spent his final years by the fireside, reflecting on his life's work and sharing anecdotes with his closest students.”
Examples
simple
“We sat by the fireside and told stories.”
contextual
“The old cabin was perfect for a weekend trip, especially for sitting by the fireside on cold winter nights.”
complex
“The professor spent his final years by the fireside, reflecting on his life's work and sharing anecdotes with his closest students.”
Real-World Examples
“Mrs Rowth got up and went over to the fireside of their modest home, where she began smoking a pipe.” “While the importance of fireside storytelling for human societies has previously been recognized, earlier work assumed that stories emerged from an existing human proto-language.” Etymology
From fire + side.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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