🇺🇸
/əˈflem/
🇺🇸
/əˈflem/
🇬🇧
/əˈfleɪm/
🇬🇧
/əˈfleɪm/
Aflame is an adjective meaning literally on fire or figuratively burning with intense emotion—like passion, anger, or enthusiasm. It’s often used poetically or dramatically: 'Her eyes were aflame with determination' doesn’t mean her eyes are burning—it means they’re blazing with fierce resolve.
The old barn stood aflame as firefighters rushed to the scene.
She was aflame with indignation after hearing the unfair verdict.
His speech left the audience aflame with patriotic fervor.
The sky at sunset was aflame with streaks of orange and crimson.
He remained aflame with curiosity, asking question after question until he understood.
flam
Comes from the Old French 'flambe' and ultimately from the Latin 'flamma', meaning 'fire' or 'flame'. It conveys the core concept of burning, intense heat, light, or passionate emotion. Examples include flame, flaming, inflame, aflame, deflagrate, flamboyant.