ember

American  

[em-ber] / ˈɛm bər /

noun

1. a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.

2. embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.

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ember British  

/ ˈɛmbə /

noun

1. a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire

2. the fading remains of a past emotion

   the embers of his love

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Etymology

Origin of ember

before 1000; Middle English eemer, emeri, Old English ǣmerge, ǣmyrie (cognate with Old Norse eimyrja, Old High German eimuria ), equivalent to ǣm- (cognate with Old Norse eimr steam) + -erge, -yrie, akin to Old English ys ( e ) le ember, Latin ūrere to burn

Explanation

An ember is a little piece of wood or coal in a fire that's dying. Embers are hot and glowing. When the fire is out and the embers are glowing, it’s time to call it a night. Embers (usually plural) are smoldering pieces of wood or coal — usually very small — that burn brightly as a fire starts to fade. When you see embers, the fire isn’t finished yet, but it’s almost done. If you’re camping and you put out a fire, don’t leave it alone until the embers go out, too. People also use embers as a metaphor for other things that are starting to fade, like the last embers of a dying friendship.

Example Sentences

“With hindsight being 2020, we do understand now that we must evacuate well ahead of not only the fire front ... but we also need to take into account the massive ember cast,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

India Today magazine called the film a "dead ember".

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

Some residents in Rainham believe an ember from the fires on Arnolds Field might have started that blaze.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

The other factor, ember intrusion, is when embers enter a home through an opening and ignite it from within.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

Richard puts an ember into a pan to take to Reverend Hunt in case his fire, too, has gone out.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Related Words

• ash
• cinder