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Definition of 'fir'

Word Frequency

fir

(fɜr )

Word forms: firs

variable noun

A fir or a fir tree is a tall evergreen tree that has thin needle-like leaves.

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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fir

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Word Frequency

fir in American English 1

(fɜr )

noun

1.

any of a genus (Abies) of cone-bearing evergreen trees of the pine family, having flattened needles and upright cones whose scales fall off at maturity

2.

any of various other coniferous trees, as the Douglas fir

3.

the wood of any of these trees

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Derived forms

firry (ˈfirry)

adjective

Word origin

ME firre < OE fyrh, akin to Ger föhre < IE base *perkwus, name of the tree, oak > L quercus, oak

Word Frequency

fir in American English 2

firkin

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Word Frequency

fir in American English

(fɜːr)

noun

1.

any coniferous tree belonging to the genus Abies, of the pine family, characterized by its pyramidal style of growth, flat needles, and erect cones

2.

the wood of such a tree

Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Word origin

[1250–1300; ME firre, OE fyrh; c. OS furie; akin to OE furh- (in fuhrwudu pine), ON fura fir, L quercus oak (‹ *perkwu-)]

Word Frequency

fir in British English

(fɜː )

noun

1.

any pyramidal coniferous tree of the N temperate genus Abies, having single needle-like leaves and erect cones: family Pinaceae

See also red fir, silver fir, balsam fir

2.

any of various other trees of the family Pinaceae, such as the Douglas fir

3.

the wood of any of these trees

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Word origin

Old English furh; related to Old Norse fura, Old High German foraha fir, Latin quercus oak

Examples of 'fir' in a sentence
fir

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Wire together dried fruit and fir cones and use to fill any gaps.You cannot therefore simply complain that the fir tree blocks the light to your garden or patio.We stare through the drizzle at a scarred fir tree.The fir trees of the mobile forest lay flattened and scorched.It was a frosty night and fir trees sparkled with a dusting of snow. Holly or branches from fir trees work best but any greenery will do.He had seen the dark shapes of the fir trees only a moment or so before hitting them.People who live near a fir wood can sometimes hear a weird cooing coming from it in the middle of the night.We bounced between fir trees, then burst out on to the shores of a lake.The darling yellow trumpets are thrusting up in fir and birch woods across Scotland for our delight.

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Word lists with
fir

tree, wood

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

-

Score: 0 / 5

Which type of wood am I?

the distinctively marked wood of this tree, having black bands on a lighter background

marblewood yellowwood yew

Which type of wood am I?

the heavy elastic wood of this tree, used in building and cabinetwork

durmast rosewood yew

Which type of wood am I?

oak or other wood found preserved in peat bogs; bogwood

bog oak hardwood zebrawood

Which type of wood am I?

the wood of this tree, used for furniture, floors, etc

kiaat pear toon

Which type of wood am I?

the hard durable wood of any of these trees

ash fiddlewood hemlock

Your score:

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fir

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In other languages
fir

British English: fir /fɜː/ NOUN

A fir is a tall evergreen tree that has thin needle-like leaves.

American English: fir /ˈfɜr/
Brazilian Portuguese: abeto
Chinese: 枞树
European Spanish: abeto
French: sapin
German: Tanne
Italian: abete
Japanese: モミ
Korean: 전나무
European Portuguese: abeto
Spanish: abeto
Thai: ต้นสน

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fir

Related terms of
fir

Source

Definition of fir from the Collins English Dictionary

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alone or lonely?

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lonely

alone

He was a little boy.

arise or rise?

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Unemployment has arisen sharply. Unemployment has risen sharply.

blame or fault?

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fault

blame

This was all Jack's .

assignment or homework?

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We get assignment every day. We get homework every day.

conscience or consciousness?

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consciousness

conscience

He fell down and lost .

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Jul 17, 2021

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apocynthion

the point at which a spacecraft in lunar orbit is farthest from the moon

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Scrabble score
for 'fir':
6

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

place or plaice?

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plaice

place

I ordered a fillet of with rice and vegetables.

pedal or peddle?

Which version is correct?

He attempted to pedal his paintings around small London galleries. He attempted to peddle his paintings around small London galleries.

altar or alter?

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The priest stood at the altar The priest stood at the alter

bread or bred?

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bread

bred

She made herself some and butter.

sun or son?

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son

sun

He shared a pizza with his .

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