aflame

Everyday

1. On fire, burning with flames. tree →
2. Glowing brightly with colour as if burning, like autumn leaves or a sunset. tree →
3. Full of a strong feeling, such as anger or excitement. tree →

In the lessons

A poetic, story-telling word. It paints a picture of fire, bright colour or strong feeling. Used in descriptions of sunsets, autumn trees and fires. Phrases: set aflame, aflame with colour, cheeks aflame.

Examples

• The old barn was aflame within minutes. tree →
• The sky was aflame with red and orange at sunset. tree →
• In autumn the maple trees are aflame with colour. tree →
• Her cheeks were aflame with embarrassment. tree →
• The dragon set the castle aflame. tree →
• The crowd was aflame with excitement. tree →
• The hills looked aflame in the evening light. tree →

Note

Used after a verb (the house was aflame), not before a noun: we say "a burning house", not "an aflame house". Like other a- words: afloat, asleep, alive. More poetic than "on fire".

In Jewish tradition

A poetic, story-telling word. It paints a picture of fire, bright colour or strong feeling. Used in descriptions of sunsets, autumn trees and fires. Phrases: set aflame, aflame with colour, cheeks aflame.

Examples

• My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame; even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. (Writings PSA.57.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Used after a verb (the house was aflame), not before a noun: we say "a burning house", not "an aflame house". Like other a- words: afloat, asleep, alive. More poetic than "on fire".