flaming

American  

[fley-ming] / ˈfleɪ mɪŋ /

adjective

1. emitting flames; blazing; burning; fiery.

2. like a flame in brilliance, heat, or shape.

3. intensely ardent or passionate.

   flaming youth.

4. Informal. (used as an intensifier).

   What a flaming idiot!

5. Informal: Usually Disparaging and Offensive. (especially of a man) blatantly gay.

---

flaming British  

/ ˈfleɪmɪŋ /

adjective

1. burning with or emitting flames

2. glowing brightly; brilliant

3. intense or ardent; vehement; passionate

   a flaming temper

4. informal (intensifier)

   you flaming idiot

5. an obsolete word for flagrant

---

Other Word Forms

• flamingly
  adverb
• unflaming
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of flaming

First recorded in 1350–1400, flaming is from the Middle English word flammande; see flame , -ing ²

Example Sentences

Parkkonen, who appears on stage as enigmatic and brooding while lamenting his unanswered love next to a flaming confessional, hoped the song will serve as "a helping hand".

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Next best thing: Meteors flaming across the sky during the August 12-13 Perseid shower peak promise the brightest show in years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Last year, three of Starship’s five launches exploded at unexpected points on their flight paths, twice raining flaming debris over congested commercial airways and disrupting flights.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026

The film contains more than 1,000 digital fire FX shots, ranging from flaming arrows and flamethrowers to massive explosions and fire tornadoes.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

Each marcher carried a flaming torch, creating a river of light that flowed through the center of Berlin.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• blazing
• fiery
• glowing
• red-hot