wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce wildfire (audio)
Synonyms of wildfirenext
1
: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area
2
: greek fire
3
: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)
4
: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)
see also:
like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Winds of that strength start to present a greater risk of erratic wildfire behavior and spread. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Extreme heat waves increase wildfire risk, and a warmer world supercharges storms that could ultimately send more rainfall. — Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 The heat has set a national temperature record in Austria, fueled wildfires in France and disrupted energy and transport systems across the continent. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 An aerial view of hillside homes which burned in the Palisades Fire, near a home which is intact, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 15, 2025 in Malibu, California. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wildfire

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wildfire was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing wildfire

Rhymes for wildfire

See All Rhymes for wildfire

Browse Nearby Words

wild fig
wildfire
wild flag
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Cite this Entry

“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wildfire

noun
wild·​fire ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce wildfire (audio)
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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