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Added 4 October 2026

flame

/fleɪm/ noun

In Latin: flamma Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about flame at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.
An aggressively insulting criticism or remark.

adjective

Of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.

verb

To produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze.
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.
To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).
I flamed him for spamming in my favourite newsgroup.

Origin

From Middle English flawme, blend of Old French flame and flambe, flamble, the first from Latin flamma, the second from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma, both from pre-Latin *fladma; Proto-Italic *flagmā, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to shimmer, gleam, shine”). Displaced native Old English līeġ.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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