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fiery

American  
[fahyuhr-ee, fahy-uh-ree] / ˈfaɪər i, ˈfaɪ ə ri /

adjective

fierier, fieriest
  1. consisting of, attended with, characterized by, or containing fire.

    a volcano's fiery discharge.

  2. intensely hot.

    fiery desert sands.

    Antonyms:
    cold, cool
  3. like or suggestive of fire.

    a fiery red; angry, fiery eyes.

    Synonyms:
    burning, glowing, flaming
    Antonyms:
    cold, cool
  4. intensely ardent, impetuous, or passionate.

    fiery courage; a fiery speech.

    Synonyms:
    impassioned, spirited, vehement, fervent
    Antonyms:
    dispassionate, cold, cool
  5. easily angered or provoked.

    a fiery temper.

  6. causing a burning sensation, as certain liquors or condiments.

  7. inflamed, as a tumor or sore.

  8. Mining: Older Use.

    1. highly flammable.

    2. containing highly flammable gas.


fiery British  
/ ˈfaɪərɪ /

adjective

  1. of, containing, or composed of fire

  2. resembling fire in heat, colour, ardour, etc

    a fiery desert wind

    a fiery speaker

  3. easily angered or aroused

    a fiery temper

  4. (of food) producing a burning sensation

    a fiery curry

  5. (of the skin or a sore) inflamed

  6. flammable or containing flammable gas

  7. (of a cricket pitch) making the ball bounce dangerously high

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of fiery

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English fiery, fury, fery; see fire, -y 1

Explanation

When something is very hot or intense, it's fiery. Fiery can describe a literal blaze, a hot chili pepper, or even a fiery temper. Any time there's fire, you have a fiery situation. This word applies to a lot more than flames, though. If you lose your temper easily, you may be called hot-headed or fiery. An intense argument — with two people yelling and carrying on — could be called fiery. Any kind of intense emotion or passion is fiery. If you're a cool customer, you're not very fiery. Also, you could say that hot Indian curry or spicy chicken wings are fiery.

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Vocabulary lists containing fiery

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If venturing the unknown of Fiery Furnace all alone doesn’t appeal to you, park rangers offer guided tours several times a day to permitted guests.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2024

"Fiery" is a polite word to say that he was rambling.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2024

Fiery and outspoken, O’Connor was a critic of the Roman Catholic Church well before allegations of sexual abuse were widely reported, and was open about her mental health struggles.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

Palawan is close to the newly established Chinese air naval bases that include harbors, runways, bunkers and underground munitions storage facilities in Subi Reef and Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands.

From Washington Times • Mar. 15, 2023

Fiery tears burned the back of my eyes, and I was glad water fell from my face so those girls couldn’t see my hurt and anger.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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