spitfire

American  

[spit-fahy^uhr] / ˈspɪtˌfaɪər /

noun

1. a person, especially a girl or woman, who is of fiery temper and easily provoked to outbursts.

2. (initial capital letter) a British fighter plane with a single in-line engine used by the R.A.F. throughout World War II.

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spitfire British  

/ ˈspɪtˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a person given to outbursts of spiteful temper and anger, esp a woman or girl

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Etymology

Origin of spitfire

First recorded in 1590–1600; spit ¹ + fire

Explanation

Someone who's a spitfire has a fiery or passionate temper. If your sister slams her door dramatically whenever she's angry, you can describe her as a spitfire. From the early 1600s, spitfire was used for things that literally appeared to "spit" fire, and also for people who figuratively seemed to do the same. The word described both military cannons and fierce, quick-tempered personalities. Today, it's almost always used for someone who's intense and maybe a little bit difficult: "They have to pay the babysitter extra because my little cousins are such spitfires!"

Example Sentences

He’s also a widower who lost his wife not to some boring disease but in a way that only a real spitfire would go, by flipping her ATV.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

She was a real spitfire, star outside hitter Jordan Larson thought.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2024

It is understood he issued a Mayday call soon after take off and the spitfire was seen turning just before it plunged toward the ground.

From BBC • May 31, 2024

A Taiwanese American human rights lawyer by day, Chung imbues her debut novel — based in part on memories shared by her grandmother — with spitfire flair and real-life specificity.

From New York Times • May 30, 2024

Perhaps this had caused us to overlook the more absurd parts of Reverend Wright’s spitfire preaching, even if we hadn’t been present for any of the sermons in question.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama