Flame Meaning
Flame Definition & Usage
A visible, hot, and bright stream of gas produced by something burning.
Examples
- "The flame from the candle lit up the dark room."
- "Firefighters quickly controlled the spreading flames."
- "The flame of the torch flickered in the cold wind."
- "The building was engulfed in flames by the time they arrived."
- "He stared into the flame, mesmerized by its movement."
A strong, passionate feeling or emotion.
Examples
- "Her love for him burned with the intensity of a flame."
- "The flame of ambition drives him to work late into the night."
- "Their rivalry was fueled by a flame of hatred that wouldn't die."
- "She spoke with the flame of passion about her cause."
- "The flame of hope flickered weakly in his heart."
To ignite or set something on fire.
Examples
- "He flamed the edges of the paper to give it an antique look."
- "The chef flamed the dish with a little brandy."
- "She flamed the letters, burning them to erase the evidence."
- "The wind caused the fire to flame higher than before."
- "They flamed the torches before setting out on their journey."
Cultural Context
The word 'flame' has both literal and figurative meanings in English. Historically, flames were crucial to the development of civilization, from cooking to lighting homes, to signaling in battle. The symbolic meanings of flame—representing intense emotions or transformative power—can be found in literature, art, and everyday speech.
The Last Flame
Story
The Last Flame
In a small, quiet town, a group of friends gathered for their annual camping trip. As the sun set behind the distant mountains, they built a fire, its flames licking the cool evening air. It was more than just warmth; for them, the flame represented their shared past, the laughter and tears that had brought them together. But this year, something was different. James, usually the most jovial of the group, had grown distant, and the flame of friendship between him and Sarah seemed to have dimmed. Sarah stared into the fire, lost in thought. The flame danced in her eyes as memories of their first meeting flooded back. The passion they had once shared now felt like a flicker, a flame that had burned brightly only to burn out too soon. As the night wore on, the fire flickered and grew smaller, its warmth still present but its light fading. James sat across from her, his eyes reflecting the same flame. He knew what had happened; their once-burning love had become a distant memory, just like the dying embers of their fire. He had come here to rekindle something that seemed lost forever, but now he realized that some flames were never meant to be rekindled. The flame of their relationship had been extinguished long ago, and no amount of effort would bring it back. The fire was finally reduced to a pile of smoldering coals. With one last look at the flames, Sarah turned and left, understanding that some things were better left in the past. The last flame had flickered out, and with it, so had their chance for reconciliation.
