bonfire

Everyday

A bonfire is a large outdoor fire, made to burn rubbish or for a celebration. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life in the UK and NZ, Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) in November has bonfires and fireworks; in Ireland bonfires are lit on Halloween or midsummer; in the USA and Canada people have bonfires at camps and beaches. In safety lessons: keep well back, never throw things like aerosol cans into a bonfire, an adult must be in charge, and know stop, drop and roll if clothes catch fire. In science: burning is a chemical change that needs fuel, heat and oxygen. Phrases: Bonfire Night, light a bonfire, around the bonfire.

Examples

• We toasted marshmallows by the bonfire. tree →
• Keep back from the bonfire. tree →
• On Bonfire Night we watched the fireworks. tree →
• Dad lit a bonfire to burn the dry leaves. tree →
• Check bonfires for hedgehogs before lighting them. tree →
• Never throw spray cans on a bonfire. tree →
• We sang songs around the bonfire. tree →
• The bonfire crackled and sparks flew up. tree →
• That was a fine place to make a bonfire, only the gardener was too busy just then to attend to it. tree →

Note

Countable. One word. A bonfire is bigger than a campfire. Hedgehogs and other small animals often hide in bonfire piles, so check before lighting.