noun
pyro
PEYE-roh
noun
1
Informal short form of pyromaniac — someone with an obsessive urge to start fires.
"The film's villain was a total pyro who set fire to every building he entered."
"Police described the suspect as a pyro with a history of arson."
2
Short for pyrotechnics, or a professional who sets up fireworks and stage explosions.
"The concert hired a pyro to run the fireworks during the finale."
How to Use Pyro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual slang for either a fire-obsessed person or someone who works with fireworks/pyrotechnics professionally.
When to use it
Informal — use "pyromaniac" or "pyrotechnician" in formal writing.
Common pairings
a total pyro
hire a pyro
Word Forms
more pyro comparative, pyros plural, most pyro superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pyro”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's villain was a total _____ who set fire to every building he entered.
Etymology
A clipping of any word beginning with pyro-, which traces back to Ancient Greek pyr, meaning "fire."