Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Flaring or streaming in the wind: Describing something, especially a flag, sail, or piece of clothing, that is spread out wide and waving or flapping as if caught in a current of air.
   • Lighted up brightly; ablaze: Describing something that is illuminated intensely, as if by fire or flame, often with a sense of dynamic, spreading light.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The ship's sails were aflare in the strong ocean wind.
  • She ran across the field, her long scarf aflare behind her.
  • The sky was aflare with the colors of the sunset.
  • The palace was aflare with lights for the celebration.

Advanced Usage

• "aflare with": This common collocation is used to describe something that is vividly illuminated or filled with a dynamic quality.
  • The city was aflare with neon signs.
  • His imagination was aflare with new ideas.

Variants and Related Words

• Aflame (adj): Literally on fire or glowing as if on fire; can also mean deeply flushed (e.g., with emotion).
• Ablaze (adj): Burning fiercely; or brightly lit up or brightly colored.
• Alight (adj, often ): Lit up; showing excitement or emotion.
• Flaring (adj): Burning or shining with a sudden intensity; or spreading outward.

Synonyms

• Fluttering: Moving with quick, light, irregular motions.
• Streaming: Extending or flowing out at length.
• Blazing: Burning brightly and strongly.
• Radiant: Sending out light; shining brightly.

Related Phrases

• To set aflare: To cause to burn brightly or to spread out. This is a less common, more literary variant of "to set ablaze" or "to set aflame."
  • The torch set the dry grass aflare.

Adjective

1. lighted up by or as by fire or flame
   • forests set ablaze (or afire) by lightning
   • even the car's tires were aflame
   • a night aflare with fireworks
   • candles alight on the tables
   • houses on fire
2. streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air
   • ran quickly, her flaring coat behind her
   • flags aflare in the breeze