fiery

[ fahyuhr-ee, fahy-uh-ree ]

/ ˈfaɪər i, ˈfaɪ ə ri /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fiery ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, fier·i·er, fier·i·est.

consisting of, attended with, characterized by, or containing fire: a volcano's fiery discharge.

intensely hot: fiery desert sands.

like or suggestive of fire: a fiery red; angry, fiery eyes.

intensely ardent, impetuous, or passionate: fiery courage; a fiery speech.

easily angered or provoked: a fiery temper.

causing a burning sensation, as certain liquors or condiments.

inflamed, as a tumor or sore.

Mining Older Use.

highly flammable.
containing highly flammable gas.

Nearby words

fiennes, fier, fierce, fieri facias, fierstein, fiery, fiery cross, fiesole, fiesta, fiesta de toros, fiesta taurina

Origin of fiery

First recorded in 1225–75, fiery is from the Middle English word fi(e)ry. See fire, -y¹

SYNONYMS FOR fiery

3 flaming, flashing, glowing, burning.

4 fervent, vehement, spirited, impassioned.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fiery ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR fiery

2–4 cool, cold.

4 dispassionate.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR fiery ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsfier·i·ly, adverbfier·i·ness, nounun·fier·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fiery

There was Milan Hruška, a fiery miner from the North Bohemian coal mines.
How Havel Inspired the Velvet Revolution|Michael Zantovsky|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Next door, a strip mall popped and hissed as unknown accelerants aided in its fiery destruction.
Raging Protesters Set Ferguson on Fire|Justin Glawe|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Shortly after leaving Stanleyville, Richard Holm and a Cuban pilot went down in a fiery plane crash.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The fiery first-term conservative won narrowly over Democrat Mike Michaud Tuesday night.
Republican Wave Carries Maine Governor Paul LePage to Victory|Ben Jacobs|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.
Lincoln Was the Founders’ Heir Apparent|Harvey J. Kaye|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He glanced round at us; there was a proud smile on his resolute face; his eyes glowed with fiery ardour.
For The Admiral|W.J. Marx
The light of these days has driven the fiery dragon to take refuge among nations not yet visited by the light of civilization.
The Curiosities of Heraldry|Mark Antony Lower
Remove the fiery clouds that the obduracy of a sinner drew over our heads!
The Poniard's Hilt|Eugne Sue
This state of affairs exasperated the fiery and self-willed little beauty almost to phrensy.
Cruel As The Grave|Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth
Among these was one young colt of such a fiery temper that no one was allowed to mount him.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber

British Dictionary definitions for fiery

fiery

/ (ˈfaɪərɪ) /

adjective fierier or fieriest

of, containing, or composed of fire

resembling fire in heat, colour, ardour, etca fiery desert wind; a fiery speaker

easily angered or arouseda fiery temper

(of food) producing a burning sensationa fiery curry

(of the skin or a sore) inflamed

flammable or containing flammable gas

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

Derived Formsfierily, adverbfieriness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for fiery

fiery

adj.

late 13c., from Middle English fier "fire" (see fire (n.)) + -y (2). The spelling is a relic of one of the attempts to render Old English "y" in fyr in a changing system of vowel sounds. Related: Fieriness.

fiery

adjective, fier·i·er, fier·i·est.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of fiery

Examples from the Web for fiery

British Dictionary definitions for fiery

fiery

adjective fierier or fieriest

Word Origin and History for fiery

fiery