Definition of 'flare'

Word Frequency

flare

(fleəʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense flares , present participle flaring , past tense, past participle flared

1. countable noun

A flare is a small device that produces a bright flame. Flares are used as signals, for example on ships.

...a ship which had fired a distress flare.

Synonyms: rocket, light, signal, beacon More Synonyms of flare

2. verb

If a fire flares, the flames suddenly become larger.

Camp fires flared like beacons in the dark. [VERB]

Synonyms: blaze, flame, dazzle, glare More Synonyms of flare

Flare up means the same as flare.

Don't spill too much fat on the barbecue as it could flare up. [VERB PARTICLE]

3. verb

If something such as trouble, violence, or conflict flares, it starts or becomes more violent.

Even as the President appealed for calm, trouble flared in several American cities. [VERB]

Flare up means the same as flare.

Dozens of people were injured as fighting flared up. [VERB PARTICLE]

Synonyms: erupt, break out, fire up, burst out More Synonyms of flare

4. verb

If people's tempers flare, they get angry.

Tempers flared and harsh words were exchanged. [VERB]

5. verb

If someone's nostrils flare or if they flare them, their nostrils become wider, often because the person is angry or upset.

I turned to Jacky, my nostrils flaring in disgust. [VERB]

He stuck out his tongue and flared his nostrils. [VERB noun]

6. verb

If something such as a dress flares, it spreads outwards at one end to form a wide shape.

...a simple black dress, cut to flare from the hips. [VERB]

Synonyms: widen, spread, broaden, spread out More Synonyms of flare

7. plural noun [oft a pair of NOUN]

Flares are trousers that are very wide at the bottom.

8. See also flared

Phrasal verbs:

See flare up

More Synonyms of flare

Video: pronunciation of
flare

flare in British English

(flɛə )

verb

to burn or cause to burn with an unsteady or sudden bright flame

to spread or cause to spread outwards from a narrow to a wider shape

3. (transitive)

to make a conspicuous display of

to increase the temperature of (a molten metal or alloy) until a gaseous constituent of the melt burns with a characteristic flame or (of a molten metal or alloy) to show such a flame

5. (transitive; sometimes foll by off)

(in the oil industry) to burn off ( unwanted gas) at an oil well

noun

an unsteady flame

a sudden burst of flame

a blaze of light or fire used to illuminate, identify, alert, signal distress, etc

the device producing such a blaze

a spreading shape or anything with a spreading shape

a skirt with a flare

10.

a sudden outburst, as of emotion

11. optics

the unwanted light reaching the image region of an optical device by reflections inside the instrument, etc

the fogged area formed on a negative by such reflections

flare in American English

(flɛr )

verb intransitiveWord forms: flared or ˈflaring

to blaze up with a sudden, bright light

to burn unsteadily, as a flame whipped about by the wind

to burst out suddenly in anger, violence, etc.

often with up or out

to curve or spread outward, as the bell of a trumpet

verb transitive

to make flare

to signal with a flare

noun

a bright, unsteady blaze of light lasting only a little while; outburst of flame

a very bright light used as a distress signal, to light up a landing field, etc.

a substance burned to make such a light

a sudden, brief outburst, as of emotion or sound

a curving or spreading outward, as of a skirt

a part that curves or spreads outward

10. Astronomy

a short-lived, spotlike outburst of increased brightness on the sun, seen esp. near sunspots and often accompanied by X-rays, gamma rays, etc.

a sudden, temporary increase in the brightness of any star

11. Photography

a foggy spot on film, caused by a reflection of light from the lens

SIMILAR WORDS: blaze

Word origin

ME fleare < ?

Word Frequency

flare in Chemical Engineering

(flɛər)

Word forms: (regular plural) flares

noun

(Chemical Engineering: Chemical waste management)

A flare is a flame used for burning flammable waste gases to get rid of them.

Gas which isn't burned in the turbine is burned in a flare to prevent its release.

In many industrial operations, large volumes of combustible waste gases are produced which can be burned off in a flare.

A flare is a flame used for burning flammable waste gases to get rid of them.

Word Frequency

flare in the Oil and Gas Industry

(flɛər)

Word forms: (present) flares, (past) flared, (perfect) flared, (progressive) flaring

verb

(Extractive engineering: Refinery processes)

To flare unwanted gas at an oil well is to get rid of it by burning it.

Gas produced along with oil was usually just burned off, or flared.

On a worldwide basis most unwanted gas produced as a result of oil production is flared.

To flare unwanted gas at an oil well is to get rid of it by burning it.

flare stack

Example sentences including
flare

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It was not until the 20th century that it flared again. Trouble flared shortly after 4pm as pupils finished school. Emotions flare between the four main characters. Standards have slipped since those days of flared trousers and platform shoes.It is not known who fired the flare. Margaret insisted upon going into the full light of the flaring gas inside to take the ticket.It was a warning for the police who moved quickly to stop trouble from flaring up.The flame flared up once or twice.The solar flare effects will also be visible today and tomorrow.Then she was dressed in flared jeans and a bohemian silk coat.