Words / B1

FLAYM/fleɪm/

A flame is the hot bright gas from a fire: in flames; a gas flame. Fire is the wider event. Flame can also mean an angry online message (less useful in exams). Do not write “a fire flame”. Burst into flames is a set phrase in accident reports.

Meaning

The hot bright gas that burns from a fire; also in flames (burning).

Examples

• “The warehouse was in flames before the night shift ended.”
• “A gas flame was left on in the lab, which is why the alarm sounded.”

Good to know

in flames; burst into flames. Wider event: fire. Online sense (flame) is informal. Accident reports: burst into flames.

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