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aflame

/əˈfleɪm/
IPA guide

Something that's aflame is on fire. You might accidentally set your marshmallow aflame when you're toasting it over a campfire.

Cherries jubilee is a dessert that's famous for being set aflame at the table, and a stray bolt of lightning can set the roof of a house aflame. In either case, something's burning. You can also use the word figuratively, to describe someone who's very excited: "He was aflame with enthusiasm when he learned there would be a new Harry Potter book." The Latin root of aflame is flamma, "blazing fire."

Definitions of aflame
  1. adjective
    lighted up by or as by fire or flame
    “even the car's tires were aflame
    synonyms: ablaze, afire, aflare, alight, on fire
    lighted, lit
    set afire or burning
  2. adjective
    keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement
    “he was aflame with desire”
    synonyms: ablaze, aroused
    passionate
    having or expressing strong emotions
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘aflame'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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