US /əˈfleɪm/ UK /əˈfleɪm/
adj Freq #35130

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    burning or on fire

    Within minutes, the dry roof was aflame.

  2. 2
    adj

    glowing brightly as if with fire

    The western sky was aflame with orange and crimson light.

  3. 3
    adj

    filled with intense emotion or excitement

    Her face was aflame with indignation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · burning or on fire ablazeburningalight
2 adj · glowing brightly as if with... aglowradiant
3 adj · filled with intense emotion... ferventimpassioned
Opposites
extinguishedunlitcalm
Word family
Related forms flameblazeburn

Etymology

Formed from a- + flame, literally 'in flame' or 'on fire.' The physical sense was extended to bright color and then to intense emotion, as though light or heat were visibly burning within a person.

Topics

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