spitfire

American  

[spit-fahy^uhr] / ˈspɪtˌfaɪər /

noun

1. a person, especially a girl or woman, who is of fiery temper and easily provoked to outbursts.

2. (initial capital letter) a British fighter plane with a single in-line engine used by the R.A.F. throughout World War II.

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spitfire British  

/ ˈspɪtˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a person given to outbursts of spiteful temper and anger, esp a woman or girl

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Etymology

Origin of spitfire

First recorded in 1590–1600; spit ¹ + fire

Explanation

Someone who's a spitfire has a fiery or passionate temper. If your sister slams her door dramatically whenever she's angry, you can describe her as a spitfire. From the early 1600s, spitfire was used for things that literally appeared to "spit" fire, and also for people who figuratively seemed to do the same. The word described both military cannons and fierce, quick-tempered personalities. Today, it's almost always used for someone who's intense and maybe a little bit difficult: "They have to pay the babysitter extra because my little cousins are such spitfires!"

Example Sentences

"My friends and I held bring-and-buy sales for the Spitfire fund and put on plays and concerts for the British Red Cross and Aid to France."

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

Our guest this week is journalist Kat Tenbarge from Spitfire News, who shares her experience attending Brett’s live stand-up show.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2025

She said it was "absolutely wonderful" and "glorious" to fly in the Spitfire.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2024

Ms Barron said: “My husband was in Coastal Command and then Bomber Command and he never flew in a Spitfire, but I did.”

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2024

“That poor family…Those pilots go up there day after day to fight off the German attacks. Did you hear that the average life expectancy for a Spitfire pilot is just four weeks?”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin