flame
flame — noun
1. a bright, flickering mass of heated gas that rises when something is on fire
a bright, flickering mass of heated gas that rises when something is on fire
The flames from the campfire lit up the children's faces as they sang.
collocation: flames from [fire source]
Yuki watched the blue flame of the gas stove while she boiled water for tea.
colour modifier: blue flame
Firefighters managed to contain the flames before they reached the nearby houses.
The old wooden shed was engulfed in flames within minutes of the lightning strike.
A small flame still flickered on the candle despite the strong wind outside.
用法筆記
Can be used as both countable ('two flames') and uncountable ('a building in flame'), though the uncountable form often appears in fixed phrases like 'in flames' or 'burst into flame'.
常見錯誤
2. an intense emotion such as love, rage, or excitement, felt as powerfully as fire
an intense emotion such as love, rage, or excitement, felt as powerfully as fire burning inside you
The flame of passion between the two dancers was clear to everyone in the audience.
pattern: flame of + passion/anger/hatred
Hari felt a flame of anger rise in his chest at the unfair decision.
The coach's inspiring speech fanned the flames of hope among the losing team.
Fifty years later, the flame of their friendship still burned as brightly as ever.
文法句型
flame of + [emotion noun]
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' plus an emotion noun (flame of passion, flame of anger). Frequently appears in the idiom 'fan the flames (of something)' meaning to make a feeling worse.
3. a harsh, insulting online message, typically sent as a quick reaction to somethi
a harsh, insulting online message, typically sent as a quick reaction to something someone else has written
The forum moderator deleted several flames that had been posted during the heated debate.
passive: flames deleted/moderated
Beatrix received a flame from a stranger who disagreed with her comment on the blog.
The discussion thread turned into a flame war after someone posted a rude reply.
Before sending a flame, take a moment to calm down and think about your words.
- rant
a longer, less targeted angry message; not necessarily a reply
- troll post
deliberately provocative rather than genuinely angry
用法筆記
Often appears in the compound 'flame war' (a series of angry exchanges). This sense is specific to internet communication and does not apply to letters or face-to-face arguments.
常見錯誤
4. a warm, vivid colour that looks like fire, sitting somewhere between bright red
a warm, vivid colour that looks like fire, sitting somewhere between bright red and orange
The autumn leaves turned a beautiful shade of flame before they fell from the trees.
noun as colour name: shade of flame
Anna chose a flame-coloured scarf to brighten her plain grey winter coat.
compound: flame-coloured
The sunset painted the sky in deep shades of flame and gold.
Renata decorated the living room with cushions in warm flame tones.
用法筆記
This colour sense is less common as a standalone noun; it appears more often in compounds like 'flame-coloured', 'flame-red', or in descriptive phrases such as 'shades of flame'.
flame — verb
1. to produce a bright, visible flame while a fire is burning
to produce a bright, visible flame while a fire is burning
The dry logs flamed brightly in the fireplace, warming the whole room.
pattern: [fuel] flames [adverb]
Obi watched the paper flame for a second and then turn to grey ash.
The candles flamed for a moment before a sudden gust of wind blew them out.
As Tariq added more wood to the campfire, it flamed higher and brighter.
The old oil lamp flamed unevenly, casting dancing shadows across the walls.
文法句型
[fuel/fire source] flames [adverb]
用法筆記
Often used with adverbs like 'brightly', 'fiercely', 'up'. 'Flame up' is a common variant meaning to suddenly start burning more strongly.
2. if a feeling such as anger, love, or hatred flames, it suddenly becomes extremel
if a feeling such as anger, love, or hatred flames, it suddenly becomes extremely strong and intense
When Marco heard the accusation, anger flamed inside him and he could barely speak.
pattern: anger flamed inside [person]
Élise felt jealousy flame through her as she watched the happy couple dance.
The old resentment flamed again whenever the two brothers argued about money.
Hope flamed in her chest when she saw the rescue team approaching the island.
文法句型
[emotion] flames in/through/within [person]
用法筆記
This is a literary or figurative use. The subject is always an emotion or feeling, not a person. Common in narrative writing but rare in everyday conversation.
3. when a person's face suddenly becomes hot and red, usually because they feel ang
when a person's face suddenly becomes hot and red, usually because they feel angry, embarrassed, or ashamed
His cheeks flamed when he realised everyone in the room had heard his mistake.
pattern: [cheeks/face] flames with [emotion]
The teacher's face flamed with anger as the students continued to misbehave.
Mira's ears flamed bright red when her mother told the story at the dinner table.
Renata's cheeks flamed with embarrassment after she tripped on stage.
文法句型
[face/cheeks] flames (red) with [emotion]
用法筆記
The subject is typically a body part ('face', 'cheeks', 'ears') rather than the person. 'Flame red' or 'flame with [emotion]' are common patterns.
常見錯誤
4. to send angry, insulting, or offensive messages to someone online, usually as a
to send angry, insulting, or offensive messages to someone online, usually as a quick reaction to something they have written
The user was banned from the forum for flaming other members repeatedly.
gerund: flaming + [object]
Please do not flame the new members when they ask basic questions.
Hoa flamed the reviewer who gave her favourite film a bad rating online.
The website has clear rules against flaming, and moderators remove abusive posts.
Instead of flaming people you disagree with, try to explain your point calmly.
文法句型
flame + [person]
flame + [person] + about/for + [topic]
用法筆記
Can be used transitively ('flame someone') or intransitively ('stop flaming in the chat'). The gerund form 'flaming' is very common. Most often used in online community contexts.
常見錯誤
5. to give off a bright light or warm glow, often in a flickering or unsteady way
to give off a bright light or warm glow, often in a flickering or unsteady way
The sunset flamed across the evening sky, turning the clouds deep orange and pink.
literary: sunset/sky flames across
A single candle flamed in the dark room, casting soft shadows on the stone walls.
The northern lights flamed in brilliant green bands above the snowy Arctic landscape.
Anna's eyes flamed with fierce determination as she stepped onto the stage.
文法句型
[light source/sky] flames [across/over/through] [place]
用法筆記
This literary sense overlaps with sense 1 (burning) but is used figuratively for any bright light source, not just fire. Common in descriptive and poetic writing.