noun
Uncommon
wildfire
WYLD-fy
Wildfire (noun) means a large, fast-moving, uncontrolled fire, especially one burning through forest or grassland. Example: “The wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate.”
noun
1
A large, fast-moving, uncontrolled fire, especially one burning through forest or grassland.
"The wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate."
2
Anything, such as news or a rumour, that spreads extremely fast and is hard to stop.
"The rumour spread like wildfire across the office by lunchtime."
How to use wildfire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn out-of-control fire, or figuratively, something that spreads extremely fast.
Common pairings
spread like wildfire
wildfire season
raging wildfire
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Word forms
- Plural
- wildfires
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The _____ forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
Etymology
From Old English wilde fȳr, literally "wild fire," originally also referring to a fierce ancient incendiary weapon.
Rhymes for wildfire
See all rhymes for wildfire →Frequently asked questions
What does “wildfire” mean?
The word “wildfire” means a large, fast-moving, uncontrolled fire, especially one burning through forest or grassland. In plain terms, an out-of-control fire, or figuratively, something that spreads extremely fast.
How do you pronounce “wildfire”?
“Wildfire” is pronounced WYLD-fy (/ˈwaɪldˌfaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wildfire” in a sentence?
Here is “wildfire” used in a sentence: “The wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate.”
What part of speech is “wildfire”?
“Wildfire” is a noun.
Where does the word “wildfire” come from?
The word “wildfire” comes from Old English. From Old English wilde fȳr, literally "wild fire," originally also referring to a fierce ancient incendiary weapon.
Is “wildfire” a common word?
“Wildfire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wildfire” have?
“Wildfire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, fast-moving, uncontrolled fire, especially one burning through forest or grassland.
