fire

A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.

How to use

The term 'fire' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, referring to a natural phenomenon or a controlled process. A notable grammatical nuance is that 'fire' can be used as a mass noun, e.g., 'There was fire in the fireplace,' or as a countable noun, e.g., 'The fireworks display included several small fires.' Learners should be cautious not to confuse 'fire' with 'flame,' as the latter typically refers to the visible part of the fire.