From Middle English flawme, blend of Old French flame and flambe, flamble, the first from Latin flamma, the second from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma, both from pre-Latin *fladma; Proto-Italic *flagmā, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to shimmer, gleam, shine”). Displaced native Old English līeġ.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.
Translations (5)
ru огненно-кра́сный (colour) · bg огненочервен (colour) · pl ognistoczerwony (colour) · hu lángvörös (colour) · fi tulipunainen (colour)
From Middle English flawme, blend of Old French flame and flambe, flamble, the first from Latin flamma, the second from Latin flammula, diminutive of flamma, both from pre-Latin *fladma; Proto-Italic *flagmā, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to shimmer, gleam, shine”). Displaced native Old English līeġ.
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
The flames will then be joined together next week at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, the home of the Paralympics, and the united flame will make its final journey to London for the opening of the 14th Paralympic Games next Wednesday. 2012 August 21, Alexandra Topping, “Paralympic flames light up countdown to biggest Games in history”, in The Guardian:
Long after his cigar burnt bitter, he sat with eyes fixed on the blaze. When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped; but he had lost all reckoning of time when he opened them again to find Miss Erroll in furs and ball-gown kneeling on the hearth[…]. 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter III, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:
(countable, uncountable) A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.
I could copy out yards of rhapsody to Lord George Poynings, her old flame, in which she addressed him by the most affectionate names. 1844 January–December, W[illiam] M[akepeace] Thackeray, “Conclusion”, in “The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. [The Luck of Barry Lyndon.]”, in Miscellanies: Prose and Verse, volume III, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1856, →OCLC:
(Internet, countable, dated, uncountable) An aggressively insulting criticism or remark.
Flames are, unfortunately, a fact of USENET life. It's a rare USENET regular who hasn't been shaken to the foundations with anger at something some jerk has posted. 1995, Paul McFedries, The Complete Idiot's Guide to USENET Newsgroups, Alpha Books, →ISBN, page 39:
(countable, uncountable) A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour.
[M]arked by myriad clouds of every sunset-colour - flame, purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold. 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, published 1993, page 73:
(countable, uncountable) The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the curl.
The cello has a two-piece back with a beautiful narrow flame.
(countable, uncountable) Burning zeal, passion, imagination, excitement, or anger.
Till charming Florio, born to conquer, came
And touch'd the fair one with an equal flame 1834, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Julia:
in a flame of zeal severe 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow 1717, Alexander Pope, “Eloisa to Abelard”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A variety of carnation.
The Gardeners divide it into Five Claſſes, which they diſtinguiſh by the Name of Picketees, Painted Ladies, Beazarts, Flakes, and Flames: […] the Flames have a red Ground always ſtrip’d with black or very dark Colours. 1718, Richard Bradley, “Part II. Chapter II: Of Perannual Flowers, the talleſt Blowers. Sect IX. Of the Carnation or July-Flower […] ”, in New Improvements of Planting and Gardening, Both Philoſophical and Practical […] , 2nd edition, London: W. Mears, page 82:
Sic flow’rs o’ sorts ane seldom sees, / Flecks, flames, bussards an’ picketees, / Wi’ strong carnations, like young trees, / To face the entry; […] 1812, Peter Forbes, “On going to see a nobleman’s gardener in the neighbourhood”, in Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, Edinburgh: R. Menzies, page 89:
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
flames
Number=Plur
lexicographic
Deriveds
flamy (Terms derived from the noun flame) · candleflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame aura (Terms derived from the noun flame) · like a moth to the flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · like a moth to flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · preflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame lily (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame cell (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame lamp (Terms derived from the noun flame) · singing flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameproof (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame photometry (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameflower (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame test (Terms derived from the noun flame) · go down in flames (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame birch (Terms derived from the noun flame) · reflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamemail (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame-arc lamp (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamecrest (Terms derived from the noun flame) · hearthflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameout (Terms derived from the noun flame) · like a moth to a flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame tube (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame-thrower (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamelet (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame gun (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamethrowing (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamefest (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamelike (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameless (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameage (Terms derived from the noun flame) · reducing flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · outflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameable (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame-retardant (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamage (Terms derived from the noun flame) · upflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · oxidizing flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamelight (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame carbon (Terms derived from the noun flame) · add fuel to the flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame-out (Terms derived from the noun flame) · Illawarra flame tree (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame scallop (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameworthy (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamethrower (Terms derived from the noun flame) · inflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame war (Terms derived from the noun flame) · Taiwan flamecrest (Terms derived from the noun flame) · midflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame nettle (Terms derived from the noun flame) · pillar of flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · Australian flame tree (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame maple (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame out (Terms derived from the noun flame) · pilot flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamestrike (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame retardant (Terms derived from the noun flame) · old flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame graph (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame trench (Terms derived from the noun flame) · fan the flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame azalea (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame structure (Terms derived from the noun flame) · Red Flames (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameful (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamewar (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame violet (Terms derived from the noun flame) · antiflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · cool flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameback (Terms derived from the noun flame) · postflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · go up in flames (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamebait (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamekeeper (Terms derived from the noun flame) · burst into flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · aflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · twin flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · dragonflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · counterflame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame tree (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame spread (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flamework (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame bait (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame fusion (Terms derived from the noun flame) · keeper of the flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame up (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame-of-the-woods (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame of the forest (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flame thrower (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flammation (Terms derived from the noun flame) · flameworker (Terms derived from the noun flame) · jet flame (Terms derived from the noun flame) · Olympic flame (Terms derived from the noun flame)
Relateds
phlegm (Terms related to the noun flame) · flammable (Terms related to the noun flame) · oriflamme (Terms related to the noun flame) · phlogiston (Terms related to the noun flame) · flamingo (Terms related to the noun flame) · phlox (Terms related to the noun flame) · flamboyant (Terms related to the noun flame) · phlogopite (Terms related to the noun flame)
ka ალი (visible part of fire) · sv låga (visible part of fire) · bg страст (romantic partner) · tr ateş kırmızısı (colour) · fa-ira عَلُو (visible part of fire) · bg плам (burning sentiment) · af vlam (visible part of fire) · ko 화염 (visible part of fire) · mk пламен (visible part of fire) · de Lohe (visible part of fire) · nah cuezaltol (visible part of fire) · tpn ataendy (t-) (visible part of fire) · cy ffagl (visible part of fire) · alt јалын (visible part of fire) · fi trollaus (criticism) · uz olov (visible part of fire) · to ulo (visible part of fire) · tt ялкын (visible part of fire) · el φλόγα (visible part of fire) · ur لَپَٹ (visible part of fire) · bg пла́мък (burning sentiment) · nb lue (visible part of fire) · sh пла̏ме̄н (visible part of fire) · cmn 火焰 (visible part of fire) · da flamme (visible part of fire) · he אֵשׁ (visible part of fire) · ja 彼 (romantic partner) · gd lasair (visible part of fire) · hi शोला (visible part of fire) · eu gar (visible part of fire) · hi ज्वाला (visible part of fire) · ru огонёк (burning sentiment) · cmn 火藥味 /火药味 (criticism) · bg пла́мък (visible part of fire) · el αίσθημα (romantic partner) · ky жалын (visible part of fire) · cmn 火舌 (visible part of fire) · ar شُعْلَة (visible part of fire) · cu пламꙑ (visible part of fire) · ru пла́мень (visible part of fire) · sv flamma (romantic partner) · de Flamme (visible part of fire) · it flame (criticism) · fur flame (visible part of fire) · ru предме́т любви́ (romantic partner) · sk plameň (visible part of fire) · ny lawi (visible part of fire) · fa-ira اَلُو (visible part of fire) · nn loge (visible part of fire) · ko 애인 (romantic partner) · mn ᠳᠥᠯᠦ (visible part of fire) · ko 련인 (romantic partner) · yi פֿײַערצונג (visible part of fire) · mn дөл (visible part of fire) · bho लौ (visible part of fire) · rue пламень (visible part of fire) · cs plamen (visible part of fire) · kk жалқын (visible part of fire) · my တန်ဆောင် (visible part of fire) · bn শিখা (visible part of fire) · lo ຊະວາລະ (visible part of fire) · it fiamma (visible part of fire) · ht flanm (visible part of fire) · pl kochanka (romantic partner) · pt flama (visible part of fire) · pt chama (visible part of fire) · es chamarada (visible part of fire) · km សិខិន (visible part of fire) · ro văpaie (visible part of fire) · pl kochanek (romantic partner) · br flamm (visible part of fire) · ia flamma (visible part of fire) · id nyala (visible part of fire) · te మంట (visible part of fire) · et leim (criticism) · ojp 炎 (visible part of fire) · bg о́гненочерве́н (colour) · rif timessi (visible part of fire) · sv brandgul (colour) · es fogonazo (visible part of fire) · lt liepsna (visible part of fire) · es flama (visible part of fire) · es fogarada (visible part of fire) · pl ognista czerwień (colour) · rif ḥaduq (visible part of fire) · cs milenka (romantic partner) · rsk пламень (visible part of fire) · wa blame (visible part of fire) · ja 彼女 (romantic partner) · ko 불꽃 (visible part of fire) · cmn 激情 (burning sentiment) · mi mura (visible part of fire) · sc fiama (visible part of fire) · ko 불길 (visible part of fire) · hy բոց (visible part of fire) · ru страсть (burning sentiment) · ps لمبه (visible part of fire) · az alov (visible part of fire) · scn (italianate) ciamma (visible part of fire) · tg аланга (visible part of fire) · hi लपट (visible part of fire) · kaw urub (visible part of fire) · yue 火焰 (visible part of fire) · lv liesma (visible part of fire) · ltg līsme (visible part of fire) · tk ýalyn (visible part of fire) · fi liekki (visible part of fire) · ko 연인 (romantic partner) · scn çamma (visible part of fire) · es llama (visible part of fire) · la flamma (visible part of fire) · pl płomień (visible part of fire) · da flamme (romantic partner) · csb płom (visible part of fire) · th อัคนิคณะ (visible part of fire) · tg алов (visible part of fire) · fi heila (romantic partner) · tr alev (visible part of fire) · mba hapoy (visible part of fire) · egy t:kA-A-w-Q7 (visible part of fire) · hi लौ (visible part of fire) · tab ялав (visible part of fire) · de Flamme (romantic partner) · hu láng (visible part of fire) · fy flam (visible part of fire) · yag šola (visible part of fire) · jv urup (visible part of fire) · sc fiamma (visible part of fire) · fro flamme (visible part of fire) · txb sleme (visible part of fire) · ru флейм (criticism) · gl chama (visible part of fire) · ja 炎 (visible part of fire) · ce алу (visible part of fire) · ba ялҡын (visible part of fire) · alt јалкын (visible part of fire) · orv поломѧ (visible part of fire) · rup fleamã (visible part of fire) · ro iubită (romantic partner) · ms nyala (visible part of fire) · cs milenec (romantic partner) · ru страсть (romantic partner) · ja 炎色 (colour) · ga lasair (visible part of fire) · ug يالقۇن (visible part of fire) · lv guns (poetism) (visible part of fire) · pl krytycyzm (criticism) · ru по́лымя (visible part of fire) · eu sugar (visible part of fire) · ar لَهَب (visible part of fire) · fr flamme (visible part of fire) · da lue (visible part of fire) · nl laai (visible part of fire) · uz alanga (visible part of fire) · ja フレーム (criticism) · et leek (visible part of fire) · ja 恋人 (romantic partner) · uk по́лум'я (visible part of fire) · grc φλόξ (visible part of fire) · ro flacără (visible part of fire) · ro pară (visible part of fire) · el έρωτας (romantic partner) · ps شعله (visible part of fire) · sh plȁmēn (visible part of fire) · ja 火炎 (visible part of fire) · es llamarada (visible part of fire) · cmn 戀人 /恋人 (romantic partner) · nl vlam (visible part of fire) · fi loimukuvio (contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood) · km សុស្ម័ន (visible part of fire) · tr yalın (visible part of fire) · is logi (visible part of fire) · mg lelàfo (visible part of fire) · ro iubit (romantic partner) · sw mwale (visible part of fire) · kk алау (visible part of fire) · so olol (visible part of fire) · mt fjamma (visible part of fire) · he לֶהָבָה (visible part of fire) · si දැල්ල (visible part of fire) · vi ngọn lửa (visible part of fire) · hsb płomjo (visible part of fire) · wa flame (visible part of fire) · ur لَو (visible part of fire) · kk жалын (visible part of fire) · sq flakë (visible part of fire) · sv flamma (visible part of fire) · fa-ira شُعْلِه (visible part of fire) · ru полы́мя (visible part of fire) · fi polte (burning sentiment) · cmn 鮮紅色 /鲜红色 (colour) · ca flama (visible part of fire) · be по́лымя (visible part of fire) · cmn 火頭 /火头 (visible part of fire) · dng хуәщир (visible part of fire) · ast llama (visible part of fire) · bn জ্বালা (visible part of fire) · tpi paia (visible part of fire) · ext flama (visible part of fire) · nv kǫʼ (visible part of fire) · fr polémique (criticism) · fi tulipunainen (colour) · cmn 火苗 (visible part of fire) · oc flamba (visible part of fire) · ru пыл (burning sentiment) · rup pirã (visible part of fire) · nog ялын (visible part of fire) · ta பிழம்பு (visible part of fire) · it fiamma (romantic partner) · eo flamo (visible part of fire) · ang līeġ (visible part of fire) · nn flamme (visible part of fire) · tet lakan (visible part of fire) · toi ibbibi (visible part of fire) · ps شغله (visible part of fire) · tg шӯъла (visible part of fire) · inh ала (visible part of fire) · ru пла́мя (visible part of fire) · cy fflam (visible part of fire) · ur شُعْلَہ (visible part of fire) · ms api (visible part of fire) · sl plamen (visible part of fire) · nb flamme (visible part of fire) · lo ແປວໄຟ (visible part of fire) · an flama (visible part of fire) · uz yolqin (visible part of fire) · eu kar (visible part of fire) · th เปลวไฟ (visible part of fire) · hy հուր (visible part of fire) · pdt Flaum (visible part of fire) · yi פֿלאַם (visible part of fire) · ur جَوالا (visible part of fire) · eu lama (visible part of fire) · ru огненно-кра́сный (colour)
From Middle English flawmen, from Old French flamber, flammer.
Meanings
To produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze.
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.
He flamed with indignation. 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter II, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
(Internet, ambitransitive) To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).
I flamed him for spamming in my favourite newsgroup.
I wish you had the nerve to put your own name on that article, rather than logging into a public account to do it. I would have prefered^([sic]) to respond to you personally, rather than burden the net with my flaming, particularly since opinions like yours are best left ignored. But I feel I must respond to this one. 1983 October 20, Joe Ziegler, net.motss (Usenet):
If he got flamed for his lies or his ignorance, he simply moved to another chat room. 2001, Jonathan Franzen, The Corrections:
Because online communication makes it easy to flame, many of us impetuously fire off messages that we later regret. 2019, Steven McCornack, Kelly Morrison, Reflect & Relate, 5th edition:
This was one of the highest points of the show for me. Playin' followed, with a nice jam afterwards. After that, Jerry wandered into Crazy Fingers. (I had been hoping for Terrapin...oh well. Crazy Fingers seems to highlight Jerry's ability to come in late and tentative on lyrics. I'm sure I'll get flamed, since lots of folks seem to worship CF.) 1989 June 29, Neil McAvoy [Wing Attack Plan R], rec.music.gdead (Usenet):
fi loimuta (to produce flames) · da flamme (to produce flames) · bg паля се (to burst forth like flame) · ru пыла́ть (to produce flames) · fi herjata (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · es flamear (to produce flames) · it flammare (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · bg пламвам (to produce flames) · fi olla liekeissä (to produce flames) · bg пламтя (to produce flames) · ia flammar (to produce flames) · el φλέγομαι (to produce flames) · bg пламна (to burst forth like flame) · it fiammeggiare (to produce flames) · hi जलाना (to produce flames) · fi leimuta (to produce flames) · ja 炎を出す (to produce flames) · ru фле́ймить (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · pl rozpalić (to produce flames) · lv liesmot (to produce flames) · ca flamejar (to produce flames) · de anmachen (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · bg пламтя (to burst forth like flame) · pl rozpalać (to produce flames) · fi trollata (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · ja 叩く (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · tr flame yapmak (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · ja 燃える (to produce flames) · bg пламвам (to burst forth like flame) · sv flamma (to produce flames) · tr flame atmak (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · da blusse (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · nl laaien (to produce flames) · ro înflăcăra (to produce flames) · pl rozniecać (to produce flames) · nl vlammen (to produce flames) · izh lekkaa (to produce flames) · pt inflamar (to produce flames) · tr flamelemek (to post a critical or abusive message on the Internet) · ckb گِڕگِرتِن (to produce flames) · pl rozniecić (to produce flames) · it infiammare (to produce flames) · fi leimahtaa (to burst forth like flame) · ja 燃え上がる (to produce flames) · sv flamma upp (to produce flames)