bonfire

/'bɔn,faiə/

Thân thiện

A family gathers around a bonfire on the beach at night.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration: A "bonfire" is a large, controlled fire built outdoors, often for a communal event, celebration, or as a beacon.
   • A large fire for burning rubbish or as part of a celebration: Historically and in some contexts, it can also refer to a large fire for burning waste or debris, especially in a ceremonial or seasonal context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We gathered around the bonfire to tell stories and sing songs.
  • The villagers lit a bonfire on the hill to signal the ship.
  • After cleaning the garden, we made a bonfire of the dead leaves and branches.

Advanced Usage

• "To make a bonfire of something": To burn something, often publicly or ceremonially, sometimes to express rejection or celebration.
  • Protesters made a bonfire of the unpopular books.
• "Bonfire Night": A specific reference to Guy Fawkes Night in the UK (November 5th), celebrated with fireworks and bonfires.
  • We're going to watch the fireworks display on Bonfire Night.

Variants and Related Words

• Bonfire of the vanities: A historical or metaphorical reference to the burning of objects deemed sinful or vain, originating from a 15th-century event in Florence.
  • The sermon warned against a modern-day bonfire of the vanities.

Synonyms

• Blaze: A very large, strong fire.
• Beacon fire: A fire lit as a signal.
• Pyre: A heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse (note: "pyre" has a more specific, solemn connotation).

Related Phrases

• To build a bonfire: To construct a large outdoor fire.
  • The scouts worked together to build a bonfire for the evening.
• Bonfire party: A social gathering centered around a bonfire.
  • The beach bonfire party was the highlight of the summer.

Related Idioms

• "Fuel to the fire" / "Add fuel to the bonfire": To make a bad situation worse; to intensify an argument or conflict.
  • His critical comments just added fuel to the bonfire of their disagreement.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration

Từ đồng nghĩa

• balefire