- A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance.
- Burning fuel or other material: a cooking fire; a forest fire.
- Burning intensity of feeling; ardor. See synonyms at passion.
- Enthusiasm.
- Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.
- Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance.
- A severe test; a trial or torment.
- A fever or bodily inflammation.
- The discharge of firearms or artillery: heard the fire of cannon.
- The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.
- Discharged bullets or other projectiles: subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire; struck by rifle fire.
- Intense, repeated attack or criticism: answered the fire from her political critics.
v., fired, fir·ing, fires. v.tr.
- To cause to burn; ignite.
- To light (something) up as if by fire: The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
- To add fuel to (something burning).
- To maintain or fuel a fire in.
- To start (a fuel-burning engine). Often used with up.
- To bake in a kiln: fire pottery.
- To dry by heating.
- To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up: warriors who were fired by patriotism.
- To discharge (a firearm, for example).
- To detonate (an explosive).
- To propel (a projectile); launch (a missile).
- Informal. To throw with force and speed; hurl: fire a ball at a batter.
- To utter or direct with insistence: fired questions at the senator.
- Games. To score (a number) in a game or contest.
- To discharge from a position; dismiss. See synonyms at dismiss.
- To become ignited; flame up.
- To become excited or ardent.
- To become angry or annoyed.
- To tend a fire.
- To shoot a weapon: aimed and fired at the target.
- To detonate an explosive.
- To ignite fuel, as in an engine.
- Informal. To project or hurl a missile: The pitcher wound up and fired.
- Physiology. To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.
- To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.