Jump to content

inflame

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: inflamé

English

[edit]
WOTD – 26 June 2026
Wood being inflamed (sense 1.1) in a fireplace.

Etymology

[edit]

    From Middle English inflammen, enflamen, enflaumen (“to set (something) on fire; to be on fire; (figurative) to enrage (someone); to become enraged; to incite (someone) to do evil; to inspire (someone); (medicine) to cause inflammation of (a body part)”),[1] from Old French enflamer, enflammer (“to set (something) on fire, inflame; to be on fire; (figurative) to fuel (a debate, hatred, etc.)”) (modern French enflammer), from Latin inflammāre, the present active infinitive of inflammō (“to set (something) on fire, inflame; (figurative) to excite (someone)”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘into; to, towards’) + flammō (“to set (something) on fire; to be on fire; (figurative) to incite (someone)”)[2] (from flamma (“flame, fire; (figurative) passion”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-, *bʰl̥g- (“to blaze, burn; to glow, shine; bright flame, fire”)) + -ō (suffix forming regular first-conjugation verbs)). By surface analysis, in- (prefix meaning ‘into; to, towards’) +‎ flame.

    Pronunciation

    [edit]

    Verb

    [edit]

    inflame (third-person singular simple present inflames, present participle inflaming, simple past and past participle inflamed)

    1. (transitive)
      2. To set (someone or something) on fire; to cause (someone or something) to burn, flame, or glow; to kindle.
        Synonyms: aflame, ignite; see also Thesaurus:kindle
        • 1579, Iohn Auenar [i.e., Johann Habermann], “A Praier against Desperation”, in Thomas Rogers, transl., The Enimie of Securitie or A Dailie Exercise of Godly Meditations, […], [London], →OCLC, page 281:
          [Jesus, you] art the eternal Orator, vvhich both outvvardlie talkeſt to mankinde by thy Goſpel, and invvardlie in our harts inflameſt thy light vvhich is true confeſſion, faith, and comfort in thee: […]
          A figurative use.
        • c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 18, column 1:
          Novv keep your holy vvord, go meet the French, / And from his holineſſe vſe all your povver / To ſtop their marches 'fore vve are enflam'd: / Our diſcontented Counties doe reuolt: / Our people quarrell vvith obedience, / Svvearing allegiance, and the loue of ſoule / To ſtranger-bloud, to forren Royalty; […]
          A figurative use.
        • [1611?], Homer, “The Eighth Booke of Homers Iliads”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC, page 114:
          [W]e ſhould haue made retreate, / By light of the inflamed fleet, vvith all the Greeks eſcheate; […]
        • 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “IV. Century. [Experiment Solitary, Touching Subterrany Fires.]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, paragraph 361, page 97:
          It is reported by one of the Ancients, that in Part of Media, there are Eruptions of Flames out of Plaines; […] There be alſo ſome Blinde Fires, vnder Stone, vvhich flame not out, but Oile being povvred vpon them, they flame out. The Cauſe vvhereof is, for that it ſeemeth, the Fire is ſo choaked, as not able to remoue the Stone, it is Heat, rather than Flame; VVhich neuertheleſſe is ſufficient to Enflame the Oyle.
        • 1631, Tho[mas] Heywood, “[La[dy] Elizabeth almost Burned in Her Bed]”, in Englands Elizabeth: Her Life and Trovbles, during Her Minoritie from the Cradle to the Crowne. […], London: […] Iohn Beale, for Philip Waterhovse;  […], →OCLC, page 167:
          [T]he vvhole Kingdome vvas then enflamed vvith Bonefires of Gods Saints, there vvas Fire in the Center, Fire all about the Circũference [circumference], Fire at home, Fire abroad; Fire in her priuate Chamber, Fire all ouer the vvhole Kingdome; […]
        • 1664, Thomas of Kempis [i.e., Thomas à Kempis], “Of the Apostles Preaching, and Publishing the Most Holy Name of Our Sauiour Iesus Christ for Mans Saluation All the World ouer”, in Thomas Carre [pseudonym; Miles Pinkney], transl., Meditations and Prayers of the Life, Passion, Resvrrection and Ascension of Ovr Saviovr Iesvs Christ. […], Paris: […] V[erlet] dv Movtier, →OCLC, page 603:
          [T]hou [Jesus] on a ſoudaine inflamedſt the rude mynds of the Apoſtles vvith the fire of the holy Ghoſt; […]
          A figurative use.
        • 1677, Tho[mas] Herbert, “[Law Rigidly Executed]”, in Some Yeares Travels into Divers Parts of Africa, and Asia the Great. […], 4th edition, London: […] R. Everingham, for R. Scot, T. Basset, J[ohn] Wright, and R. Chiswell, →OCLC, page 211:
          [F]orty Camels entring loaden vvith Tobacco out of India, (the drivers being ignorant of a late prohibition, the King ſometimes commanding and reſtraining as reaſon of State invited,) Mamet Ally-beg […] offering vvithal to his angry Juſtice a diſmal ſacrifice of forty load of Tobacco vvhich vvas put into a deep hole that ſerved as a pipe, and being inflamed, in a black vapour gave the Citizens gratis for tvvo vvhole days and nights an unpleaing incenſe.
        • 1700, [John Austin], “Psalm 46”, in George Hickes, editor, Devotions in the Ancient Way of Offices. With Psalms, Hymns, and Prayers for Every Day of the Week, and Every Holiday in the Year. […], London: […] J. James […], →OCLC, page 168:
          Thou [God] didſt verifie their [the Apostles'] Miſſion vvith the povver of Miracles; and enflamedſt their Hearts vvith the Fire of thy Spirit.
          A figurative use.
      3. (by extension)
        Synonym: irritate
        1. To cause (something) to appear bright or red, as if on fire; to brighten, to redden.
        2. To cause (the body or a body part) to feel abnormally or unusually hot; specifically (medicine), to cause inflammation, including abnormal heat, pain, redness, swelling, etc., in (the body or a body part).
          to inflame the eyes by overwork
          • 1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio ccxxv, recto, column 1; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
            His lyver is al enflamed with drinkyng of hote wynes: […]
          • 1560, [William Whittingham et al., transl.], The Bible and Holy Scriptures Conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. […] (the Geneva Bible), Geneva: […] Rouland Hall, →OCLC, Isaiah V:11, folio 284, verso, column 1:
            VVo vnto them, that riſe vp early to follovve drunkennes, and to them that cõtinue [continue] vntil night, til the vvine do inflame them.
          • 1607, Conradus Gesnerus [i.e., Conrad Gessner]; Edward Topsell, “Of the Oxe and Cow”, in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes. […], London: […] William Iaggard, →OCLC, page 77:
            There be alſo hearbes vvhich increaſe in cattell diuers diſeaſes, as […] VVolfe-bane, vvhich is that graſſe in cilicia, vvhich inflameth oxen, […]
          • 1677, Tho[mas] Herbert, “[Trees. Dodo’s.]”, in Some Yeares Travels into Divers Parts of Africa, and Asia the Great. […], 4th edition, London: […] R. Everingham, for R. Scot, T. Basset, J[ohn] Wright, and R. Chiswell, →OCLC, page 382:
            [I]n curioſity I put ſome of the vvood in my mouth and chevved it; vvhat the vertue may be I knovv not; but for half an hour my mouth vvas inflamed as if I had taken ſo much Vitriol.
          • 1712 May 5 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XV.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XIV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 299:
            'Tis this day just a month since I felt the pain on the tip of my left shoulder which grew worse, and spread for six days; then broke all out by my collar, and left side of my neck in monstrous red spots inflamed, and these grew to small pimples.
          • 1714, Alexander Pope, “The Rape of the Lock”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, canto IV, page 152:
            But oh! if e'er thy Gnome could ſpoil a grace, / Or raiſe a pimple on a beauteous face; / Like Citron-vvaters matrons cheeks inflame, / Or change complexions at a loſing game; […]
          • 1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Part I”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 15:
            […] I saw my father's face / Grow long and troubled like a rising moon, / Inflamed with wrath: […]
          • 1897, Florence Marryat, chapter XV, in The Blood of the Vampire (Collection of British Authors; 3245), copyright edition, Leipzig, Saxony: Bernhard Tauchnitz, →OCLC, page 264:
            Her eyes were inflamed with crying, and she shook like an aspen leaf.
      4. (figurative)
        1. To cause (someone, or their heart, mind, etc.) to feel strong desire or other feelings; to excite (someone) to great passion; specifically, to cause (someone) to feel anger or rage; to anger, to enrage, to incense.
          (to cause anger): Synonyms: exasperate, irritate; see also Thesaurus:enrage
          Antonym: (rare) disinflame
        2. To excite or intensify (a feeling, such as an appetite or passion), especially to an excessive or unnatural level.
          Synonyms: aflame, arouse, kindle, provoke; see also Thesaurus:incite, Thesaurus:thrill
          to inflame desire
          • 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “A Later Tragicall History of the Georgians, Christians”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, pages 72–73:
            Yet ſome report, by caſualtie of riding, or like accident, his bodie in ſome ſort became imperfect. VVhich notvvithſtanding quenched not, but rather inflamed his daring courage, maliciously looking vpon the vertue and perfections of other mens minds and bodies.
          • 1838, William H[ickling] Prescott, “Attempted Assassination of Ferdinand.—Return and Second Voyage of Columbus. 1492–1493.”, in History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic. […], volume II, Boston, Mass.: American Stationers’ Company; John B. Russell, →OCLC, 1st part (1406–1492), page 178:
            The reports and sanguine speculations of the first adventures had inflamed the cupidity of many, […]
        3. To cause (something intangible, such as a dispute or violence, or hunger or thirst) to become more serious or worse; to aggravate, to exacerbate.
          • 1709 February 1 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Joseph Addison], “Friday, January 21, 1708–09”, in The Tatler, number 123; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume II, London: I. Walker and Co.;  […], 1822, →OCLC, page 251:
            They often drank of this stream, which had such a particular quality in it, that though it refreshed them for a time, it rather inflamed than quenched their thirst.
            The spelling has been modernized.
          • 1712 June 18 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “SATURDAY, June 7, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 399; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume IV, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 511:
            A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes.
            The spelling has been modernized.
          • 2017 August 25, “Arrest Threat as Yingluck Shinawatra Misses Verdict”, in Al Jazeera‎[1], archived from the original on 27 October 2021:
            The long-awaited verdict could inflame tension in the Southeast Asian country and have far-reaching implications in the politically divided kingdom.
        4. (obsolete) To increase (the price or quantity of something).
    2. (intransitive)
      1. To burst into flames, to catch fire.
        • 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “IV. Century. [Experiment in Consort, Touching the Continuance of Flame.]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, paragraph 373, page 100:
          [A]s the Oile vvaſteth, and deſcendeth, ſo the Top of the Turret, by little and little, filleth vvith Aire; vvhich is cauſed by the Rarefaction of the Oile by the Heat. It vvere vvorthy the Obſeruation, to make a Hole, in the Top of the Turret, and to trie, vvhen the Oile is almoſt conſumed, vvhether the Aire made of the Oile, if you put to it a Flame of a Candle, in the letting of it forth, vvill Enflame.
      2. (by extension)
        1. Of a person's body or body part: to feel abnormally or unusually hot; specifically (medicine), to be affected by inflammation.
          • 1607, Conradus Gesnerus [i.e., Conrad Gessner]; Edward Topsell, “Of the Fox [The Crvcigeran Foxe]”, in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes. […], London: […] William Iaggard, →OCLC, page 224:
            [S]ometime the liuer of the Fox inflameth, and then it is not cured but by the vlcerous blood flovving to the skin, and that euill blood cauſeth the Alopecia, or falling avvay of the haire, for vvhich cauſe (as is already ſaid) a Foxes skin is little vvorth that is taken in the ſummer time.
        2. (obsolete) To become very hot.
          • 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “[Choul. Mangalor.]”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, page 296:
            The vvind vvas favourable a vvhile; but ere long becalmed, vvhereby the ayre inflam'd, and Sea gave a fierie reflection; […]
      3. (figurative) To feel strong desire or other feelings; to be passionate; specifically, to feel anger or rage.
        • 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature G2, verso, lines 790–791:
          I fled, but he [Death] purſu'd (though more, it ſeems, / Inflam'd vvith luſt then rage) and ſvvifter far, […]
        • 1621, Fra[ncis] Quarles, “Sect[ion] 7. Meditatio sexta.”, in Hadassa: Or The History of Queene Ester: With Meditations thereupon, Diuine and Morall, London: […] Richard Moore, […], →OCLC, signature F3, verso:
          [W]hen the ſeruants of the King had ſeene, / Their fell diſdaine, mixt vvith an enuious ſpleene, / Inflam'd; They queſtion'd hovv he durſt vvithſtand / The iuſt performance of the Kings Command: […]
        • 1825, Thomas Carlyle, “Appendix. Note B. Page 42. Letters of Schiller.”, in The Life of Friedrich Schiller. […], London: […] [C. Richards] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 337:
          I know how soon your noble heart inflames when sympathy and humanity appeal to it; I know how strong your courage is to undertake a noble action, and how warm your zeal to finish it.
        • 1932–1941, Theodore Roethke, “Feud”, in Open House, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A[braham] Knopf, published 1941, →OCLC, part I, page 5:
          You meditate upon the nerves, / Inflame with hate. This ancient feud / Is seldom won. […]

    Conjugation

    [edit]
    Conjugation of inflame
    infinitive (to) inflame
    present tense past tense
    1st-person singular inflame inflamed
    2nd-person singular inflame, inflamest† inflamed, inflamedst†
    3rd-person singular inflames, inflameth† inflamed
    plural inflame
    subjunctive inflame inflamed
    imperative inflame —
    participles inflaming inflamed

    † Archaic or obsolete.

    Alternative forms

    [edit]

    Derived terms

    [edit]
    [edit]

    Translations

    [edit]
    (transitive) to cause (the body or a body part) to feel abnormally or unusually hot; to cause inflammation in (the body or a body part); (intransitive) to put in a state of inflammation
    (intransitive) of a person’s body or body part: to feel abnormally or unusually hot; to be affected by inflammation

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ “enflaumen, v.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    2. ^ Compare “inflame, v.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, March 2026; “inflame, v.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

    Further reading

    [edit]

    Anagrams

    [edit]

    Portuguese

    [edit]

    Pronunciation

    [edit]
     
     

    • Rhymes: (Portugal) -ɐmɨ, (Brazil) -ɐ̃mi
    • Hyphenation: in‧fla‧me

    Verb

    [edit]

    inflame

    1. inflection of inflamar:
      1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
      2. third-person singular imperative

    Spanish

    [edit]

    Verb

    [edit]

    inflame

    1. inflection of inflamar:
      1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
      2. third-person singular imperative
    2. second-person singular voseo imperative of inflar combined with me
    Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=inflame&oldid=91504034"