blaze

Everyday

1. A large, strong fire that burns brightly, often one that is dangerous. tree →
2. A very bright light or colour: a blaze of colour. tree →
3. (verb) To burn brightly and strongly. tree →
4. A white stripe down the face of a horse or other animal, or a mark cut on a tree to show a path. tree →
5. (verb) In «blaze a trail»: to be the first to do something new. tree →

In the lessons

In news and safety lessons, firefighters «tackle a blaze»; children learn fire safety. In stories, «the fire blazed in the hearth» is cosy. Phrases: blaze of glory, blaze a trail, guns blazing, What the blazes? (old, mild exclamation).

Examples

• Firefighters fought the blaze for hours. tree →
• The fire blazed in the fireplace. tree →
• The garden was a blaze of colour in summer. tree →
• The horse has a white blaze on its nose. tree →
• She blazed a trail for women in science. tree →
• The sun blazed down on the beach. tree →
• What the blazes is going on here? tree →
• It was now the beginning of summer, and each day the sun blazed more fiercely. tree →

Note

Countable as a fire: two blazes. «Blazing» means very bright or very hot. «What the blazes» is old-fashioned and mild. Do not confuse with «blazer», a school jacket.

In Jewish tradition

In news and safety lessons, firefighters «tackle a blaze»; children learn fire safety. In stories, «the fire blazed in the hearth» is cosy. Phrases: blaze of glory, blaze a trail, guns blazing, What the blazes? (old, mild exclamation).

Examples

• Scornful men set a city in a blaze; but wise men turn away wrath. (Writings PRO.29.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable as a fire: two blazes. «Blazing» means very bright or very hot. «What the blazes» is old-fashioned and mild. Do not confuse with «blazer», a school jacket.