afire

[ uh-fahyuhr ]

adjective

1. on fire:

   to set a house afire.

2. aflame ( def 2 ).

afire

/ əˈfaɪə /

adverb

1. on fire; ablaze
2. intensely interested or passionate

   he was afire with enthusiasm for the new plan

Word History and Origins

Origin of afire¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; a- ¹, fire

Example Sentences

Then, over the next two months, as he bought a couple of hundred more, he watched the stock price blow up, setting markets afire with controversy and inducing one of the most dramatic short-squeezes in history.

From Quartz

The bodies had been piled onto dry branches and logs, doused in gasoline, and set afire.

From The Daily Beast

The blogosphere is afire with outrage: A rich do-nothing given probation for raping his three-year-old daughter!

From The Daily Beast

TVs and DVDs and CDs were piled in the street and set afire.

From The Daily Beast

Twitter is afire with thoughts on the Woodward-Politico-Gene Sperling imbroglio.

From The Daily Beast

Most of the cars were set afire in carports or underground parking structures.

From The Daily Beast

I also found the camp and the country round about burning, the said Ygolotes having set it afire only a short time before.

From Project Gutenberg

The insult that mademoiselle might overlook might even not have fully understood—set him afire with indignation for her sake.

From Project Gutenberg

The room should be moist with steam when the sulphur is set afire so that the fumes will act effectually.

From Project Gutenberg

On the floor he spread a lot of wet oakum wads to prevent the splashing of the metal setting the floor afire.

From Project Gutenberg

As supper-time came, they set this heap afire and let it burn for an hour or two, until the great flat ledge was at a white heat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aflame