Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for flaming. Search instead for flaying.
Synonyms

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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Air traffic control’s communications came alive with surprised pilots who saw the accident, some of whom took photos and shot videos of the flaming streaks in the sky:

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

Thousands have flocked to a rural town to see flaming tar barrels carried along its streets for Bonfire Night.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

The gilded Statue of the Republic rose before me, set alight by the setting sun until it glowed as brightly as the angel Dumah’s flaming sword.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Definitions 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.