bonfire

[ bon-fahyuhr ]

noun

1. a large fire built in the open air, for warmth, entertainment, or celebration, to burn leaves, garbage, etc., or as a signal.
2. any fire built in the open.

bonfire

/ ˈbɒnˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a large outdoor fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonfire¹

1375–1425; late Middle English bone fire, i.e., a fire with bones for fuel

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonfire¹

C15: alteration (through influence of French bon good) of bone-fire ; from the use of bones as fuel

Example Sentences

Marc Wortman is the author, among other books, of The Bonfire: The Siege and Burning of Atlanta.

From The Daily Beast

In one corner, a pile of Apple iPads and Google glasses are torched in a bonfire.

From The Daily Beast

Everyone wanted to know the outcome of in this tropical version of Bonfire of the Vanities.

From The Daily Beast

Some have said that about my book, The Bonfire, about Atlanta in the Civil War.

From The Daily Beast

But Bonfire of the Vanities this is not, and that is unfortunate, though the cultural references might be spot on.

From The Daily Beast

Patrick had brought an axe and, with the help of some of the boys, soon had a big bonfire burning on the edge of the pond.

From Project Gutenberg

We feel just a little hurt that the police have not prohibited our village bonfire.

From Project Gutenberg

A jolly bonfire they made, too, and as the flames went up the people cheered lustily.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the summit of the great keep a huge bonfire had sprung up, and the tall flames leaped toward the inky heavens.

From Project Gutenberg

They will make a bonfire of the houses of those bourgeois and artisans fit to roast Beelzebub!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conflagration