firefighter

IPA/ˈfaɪəfaɪtə(r)/
KK[fˈaɪrfˌaɪtɚ]IPA/ˈfaɪərfaɪtər/

firefighter — noun

  • firefightersingular
  • firefightersplural

1. someone whose job it is to stop dangerous fires and rescue people who are trappe

1.nounB1
Definition

someone whose job it is to stop dangerous fires and rescue people who are trapped in burning buildings

Example

The firefighter ran into the burning house to save the family's dog.

collocation: run into + burning building

Aiko has wanted to become a firefighter ever since she was seven.

verb pattern: want to become [profession]

Common collocations
  • become a firefighter
  • train as a firefighter
  • volunteer firefighter
  • professional firefighter
  • firefighter helmet
  • firefighter gear
  • call the firefighters
  • firefighter station
  • firefighter rescue team
Synonyms
  • fireman

    older, gender-specific term now considered outdated in official use; 'firefighter' is preferred in modern English

  • fire service worker

    broader term that may include non-operational roles such as fire safety inspectors and educators

Grammar Patterns

firefighter + verb

a firefighter who + clause

become/work as + firefighter

Usage Note

This gender-neutral term has largely replaced the older word 'fireman' in modern professional and formal contexts. Use 'firefighter' for all individuals in the profession, regardless of gender.

Common Mistakes

My cousin is a firefighter woman.
My cousin is a firefighter.
The word 'firefighter' already refers to people of any gender; you do not need to add 'woman' or 'man'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The main distinction is between 'firefighter' and 'fireman'. 'Fireman' was the standard term for most of the 20th century but is now considered gender-specific and outdated in professional contexts — many official fire departments have renamed their job titles to 'firefighter'. 'Firefighter' is the fully gender-neutral, modern term used in news coverage, government job postings, and everyday speech. 'Fire service worker' is a broader category that includes fire prevention inspectors, arson investigators, and educators who do not necessarily fight fires. 'Firefighter/EMT' refers to personnel who combine firefighting with emergency medical training — increasingly common in many cities. Example: 'The city hired 30 new firefighters this year.' 'My grandfather was a fireman in the 1960s.'

fireman ↗firefighter ↗fire service workerfirefighter/EMT

Common collocations

Nouns

  • firefighter equipment
  • firefighter station
  • firefighter helmet
  • firefighter training
  • firefighter rescue

Adverbs

Phrases

  • become a firefighter
  • work as a firefighter
  • call the firefighters
  • join the firefighters

Prepositions

  • as a firefighter
  • for a firefighter
  • with the firefighters

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Formed by combining the nouns 'fire' (from Old English fȳr, tracing back to Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥) and 'fighter' (from Old English feohtan, meaning 'to fight'). The compound 'firefighter' began appearing in the late 1800s and became common in the mid-20th century as a gender-neutral alternative to 'fireman'. Modern usage overwhelmingly prefers 'firefighter' in official and professional contexts.