conflagration

[ kon-fluh-grey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a destructive fire, usually an extensive one.

conflagration

/ ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃən /

noun

1. a large destructive fire

Derived Forms

• ˈconflaˌgrative, adjective

Other Words From

• con·fla·gra·tive [kon, -fl, uh, -grey-tiv], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflagration¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin conflagrātiōn- (stem of conflagrātiō ), equivalent to conflagrāt(us), past participle of conflagrāre “to burn up”; con- ( def ), -ate ¹( def ), -ion ( def ). Latin flagr- of conflagrāre is akin to fulgur “lightning,” flamma ( flame ), Greek phlóx ( phlox )

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflagration¹

C16: from Latin conflagrātiō, from conflagrāre to be burnt up, from com- (intensive) + flagrāre to burn; related to Latin fulgur lightning

Synonym Study

See flame.

Example Sentences

Experts said he will be reluctant to enter an all-out conflagration in the region.

From Los Angeles Times

But the risks of a conflagration are high.

From BBC

Both Israel and Iran say they want to avoid conflagration, but both continue to threaten each other.

From Los Angeles Times

Wars like Ukraine pull in multiple powers, and conflagrations such as Sudan pit regional players with competing interests against each other, and some more invested in war than in peace.

From BBC

Without mitigation, she added, major fires will be a foregone conclusion in a place where aggressive suppression has created a large accumulation of fuel and conflagrations that are hotter and more difficult to suppress.

From Salon

Related Words

• blaze
• bonfire
• inferno
• wildfire