ember

[ em-ber ]

noun

1. a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.
2. embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.

ember

/ ˈɛmbə /

noun

1. a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire
2. the fading remains of a past emotion

   the embers of his love

Word History and Origins

Origin of ember¹

before 1000; Middle English eemer, emeri, Old English ǣmerge, ǣmyrie (cognate with Old Norse eimyrja, Old High German eimuria ), equivalent to ǣm- (cognate with Old Norse eimr steam) + -erge, -yrie, akin to Old English ys ( e ) le ember, Latin ūrere to burn

Word History and Origins

Origin of ember¹

Old English ǣmyrge; related to Old Norse eimyrja ember, eimr smoke, Old High German eimuria ember

Example Sentences

Experts still disagree over whether homes can be completely fireproofed in a wind-driven ember fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Once an ember ignites vegetation near the bottom, the flames can quickly scale both sides and rising heat dries out the vegetation ahead, practically clearing a path for the fire to race through.

From Los Angeles Times

“It just takes one ember in a bad spot.”

From Los Angeles Times

But he added, “It just takes one ember in a bad spot.”

From Los Angeles Times

Each syllable burns like an ember, every word tinged with new possibilities.

From Salon

Related Words

• ash
• cinder