ember

American  

[em-ber] / ˈɛm bər /

noun

1. a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.

2. embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.

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ember British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of ember

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

Explanation

An ember is a little piece of wood or coal in a fire that's dying. Embers are hot and glowing. When the fire is out and the embers are glowing, it’s time to call it a night. Embers (usually plural) are smoldering pieces of wood or coal — usually very small — that burn brightly as a fire starts to fade. When you see embers, the fire isn’t finished yet, but it’s almost done. If you’re camping and you put out a fire, don’t leave it alone until the embers go out, too. People also use embers as a metaphor for other things that are starting to fade, like the last embers of a dying friendship.

Example Sentences

Marrone said he believed they should have taken the ember cast into account.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

India Today magazine called the film a "dead ember".

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

Some residents in Rainham believe an ember from the fires on Arnolds Field might have started that blaze.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

Orchard Hills homes are constructed with two factors in mind: radiant heat and ember intrusion.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

An ember falls beside him, setting the dry grass on fire.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• ash
• cinder