adverb
-
on fire; ablaze
-
intensely interested or passionate
he was afire with enthusiasm for the new plan
Etymology
Origin of afire
Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at a- 1, fire
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.
A third charge of setting timber afire was dropped.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
On “Heal My Faith,” the rapper who first gained mainstream attention by lighting the pop chart’s sacred cows afire wonders why we can’t all just get along.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026
Then, there is allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who set the tournament afire with two stunning knocks.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 13, 2023
Some original structures remain, including a red barn that was set afire during the Civil War, and the Founder’s Cottage, from the mid-1700s, that’s now an Airbnb.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 24, 2022
A moan came from the stockade as the free folk saw their hope afire.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
