aflame
aflame — adjective
- aflamepositive
- more aflamecomparative
- most aflamesuperlative
1. caught by fire and burning strongly
caught by fire and burning strongly
By dawn, the storage shed behind Mei's house was already aflame.
be aflame for something burning
Fire crews found two upstairs windows aflame when they reached the hotel.
A tipped candle left the paper lanterns aflame above the stage.
leave + object + aflame
Dry grass turned aflame after sparks fell from the barbecue.
Residents watched the hillside go aflame in the hot evening wind.
go aflame as fire starts
- house aflame
- roof aflame
- forest aflame
- go aflame
- extinguished
used when a fire has been put out
- unlit
describes something that has not been set burning
Grammar Patterns
be aflame
go aflame
Usage Note
Usually follows be, go, or another linking verb when a building, field, vehicle, or other thing is actually burning. Unlike sense 2, this use describes real fire rather than fiery-looking colour or light.
Common Mistakes
2. shining with strong red, gold, or bright lights, as if fire were lighting it
shining with strong red, gold, or bright lights, as if fire were lighting it
At sunset, the maple trees along the lake were aflame with orange.
aflame with + colour
Festival lanterns left the old market street aflame after dark.
Roya stopped to photograph clouds aflame above the winter sea.
The palace hall looked aflame with gold under the stage lights.
look aflame with + light/colour
Rows of tulips kept the town square aflame all through April.
- sky aflame
- aflame with orange
- street aflame with lights
- hills aflame at sunset
Grammar Patterns
be aflame with red
be aflame with lights
Usage Note
Often describes skies, trees, streets, or rooms that seem covered in fiery colour or brightness. Unlike sense 1, nothing is literally burning in this use.
Common Mistakes
3. showing strong excitement or embarrassment so clearly that it seems almost heate
showing strong excitement or embarrassment so clearly that it seems almost heated
After the acceptance email arrived, Niran's voice was aflame with joy.
aflame with + emotion
Élise felt aflame with embarrassment when her phone rang in class.
The crowd grew aflame with excitement as the runners entered the stadium.
grew aflame with excitement
Caleb's cheeks were aflame after the whole table sang to him.
cheeks were aflame from embarrassment
By halftime, fans were aflame with hope for an unlikely comeback.
- aflame with joy
- aflame with excitement
- cheeks aflame
- eyes aflame
- excited
the plain everyday word, without the image of heat or glow
- flushed
focuses more on a reddened face, often from embarrassment
- impassioned
more formal and often used for speech or argument
Grammar Patterns
be aflame with excitement
cheeks be aflame
Usage Note
Often appears with words for emotion such as joy, excitement, anger, or embarrassment, or with body parts like cheeks and eyes. Unlike sense 2, the heat is figurative and comes from a person's feelings.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
15th century
15th century, in the meaning defined above