smouldering
/'smouldəriɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Burning slowly with smoke but no flame: Describes a fire or something that is burning without a visible, open flame, often producing smoke.
- Intense but concealed or suppressed: Describes a powerful emotion, especially anger, passion, or desire, that is felt deeply but not openly expressed.
Usage
The adjective "smouldering" is used to describe: * A physical fire that is burning slowly and smokily. * A person's intense, hidden emotional state, often visible in their eyes or demeanor. * A situation of hidden tension or conflict that could erupt.
Examples
- Physical burning:
- Firefighters dampened down the smouldering remains of the building.
- The smouldering campfire was finally extinguished by the rain.
- Concealed emotion/intensity:
- He gave her a smouldering look across the crowded room.
- Her smouldering anger was evident in her clenched fists and tight smile.
Advanced Usage
- "smouldering with...": Used to indicate the specific suppressed emotion.
- She was smouldering with resentment after the unfair decision.
- His performance was smouldering with a quiet, dangerous intensity.
Variants and Related Words
- Smoulder (verb): To burn slowly with smoke and no flame; to exist in a suppressed state.
- The logs will smoulder for hours.
- Resentment smouldered within him for years.
- Smolderingly (adverb): In a smouldering manner.
- He gazed smolderingly at her.
Synonyms
- Glowing: Emitting light or heat without flame; showing deep emotion.
- Seething: Filled with intense but unexpressed anger.
- Simmering: (Of a situation or feeling) being in a state of suppressed activity or excitement.
Related Phrases
- A smouldering ruin: The smoking remains of something destroyed by fire.
- Smouldering eyes: Eyes that express intense, hidden feeling.
Adjective
- showing scarcely suppressed anger
- her tone was...conversational although...her eyes were smoldering- James Hensel