noun
Uncommon
flare
fleh-uh
Flare (noun) means a bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device. Example: “The sailors fired a flare to signal for rescue.”
noun
1
A bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device.
"The sailors fired a flare to signal for rescue."
"The hikers lit a flare so the rescue helicopter could find them."
"A red flare lit up the harbour as the boat drifted in."
verb
1
To burn brightly and suddenly, or to suddenly intensify.
"Tensions flared between the two neighbors."
"The match flared briefly before going out."
"Her temper flared when she saw the broken vase on the floor."
2
To widen gradually outward, especially describing trousers or a shape.
"The skirt flares out slightly at the bottom."
"These jeans are tight at the knee, then flare out towards the ankle."
"The trumpet's bell flares wide so the sound can carry further."
How to use flare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden bright burst of light or fire (or the device that produces it); also used for something that suddenly widens or that suddenly intensifies, like anger or a health condition.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with flair (a natural talent or stylish quality) — the two are unrelated words that happen to sound alike.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
flare up
signal flare
flared trousers
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- flares
- Past tense
- flared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sailors fired a _____ to signal for rescue.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Latin flagrare, "to burn."
Class of 1500
flare joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Related words
Rhymes for flare
See all rhymes for flare →Frequently asked questions
What does “flare” mean?
The word “flare” means a bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device. In plain terms, a sudden bright burst of light or fire (or the device that produces it); also used for something that suddenly widens or that suddenly intensifies, like anger or a health condition.
How do you pronounce “flare”?
“Flare” is pronounced fleh-uh (/flɛɚ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “flare” in a sentence?
Here is “flare” used in a sentence: “The sailors fired a flare to signal for rescue.”
What part of speech is “flare”?
Depending on how it is used, “flare” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “flare” come from?
The word “flare” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Latin. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly related to Latin flagrare, "to burn.".
Is “flare” a common word?
“Flare” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flare” have?
“Flare” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device.
What is the difference between flare and flair?
Flare refers to a bright light, flame, or a sudden intensifying of something, such as tempers flaring, while flair means a natural talent or stylish quality. They are pronounced identically but spelled and used differently.
What does it mean when something "flares up"?
"Flare up" means something suddenly intensifies or gets worse after a period of being calm, such as a skin condition flaring up or a conflict flaring up again. It describes a sudden, often temporary, worsening rather than a permanent change.
What does it mean for trousers or a shape to "flare"?
When something flares, it widens gradually outward from a narrower point, as with flared jeans that widen from the knee down. This sense describes shape rather than light or sudden intensity.
