flamethrower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical, Military, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “flamethrower” mean?
A weapon that projects a stream of burning fuel, used in warfare to attack personnel, clear vegetation, or destroy defensive positions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weapon that projects a stream of burning fuel, used in warfare to attack personnel, clear vegetation, or destroy defensive positions.
Any device or tool that emits a powerful, controlled jet of flame, used metaphorically to describe something intensely aggressive, destructive, or passionate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is consistent. Military term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong military and destructive connotations. Figurative use for aggressive rhetoric is equally recognised.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in American media/entertainment related to military or action genres.
Grammar
How to Use “flamethrower” in a Sentence
[Subject] used/deployed/wielded a flamethrowerA flamethrower [verb: cleared/incinerated/engulfed] the bunkerThey attacked with a flamethrowerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flamethrower” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The unit was ordered to flamethrower the entrenched position.
- They plan to flamethrower the invasive weeds.
American English
- The soldiers had to flamethrower the bunker complex.
- Contractors will flamethrower the old paint off the bridge.
adjective
British English
- The flamethrower tank advanced slowly.
- They used flamethrower tactics in the assault.
American English
- The flamethrower unit provided close support.
- He's known for his flamethrower rhetoric in meetings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The new CEO was a flamethrower, burning through old processes.' Rare.
Academic
Primarily in historical or military studies texts discussing 20th-century warfare.
Everyday
Very rare. Only in figurative speech or discussing history/war movies.
Technical
In military engineering, historical weaponry, or in descriptions of specialized industrial/agricultural equipment for controlled burning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flamethrower”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flamethrower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flamethrower”
- Using 'flame thrower' as two words (should be one word or hyphenated: 'flame-thrower' is an older variant).
- Confusing with 'blowtorch' (a smaller tool for welding or cooking).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard as one word ('flamethrower'). The hyphenated form 'flame-thrower' is an older, less common variant.
Yes, but it's rare and highly contextual, meaning 'to attack or treat with a flamethrower' (e.g., 'to flamethrower a bunker').
Their tactical use by infantry has been largely discontinued by major militaries, though some specialized vehicle-mounted or legacy systems may exist.
A flamethrower is a weapon (or large industrial device) projecting a continuous stream of burning liquid over distance. A blowtorch is a hand-held tool producing a smaller, focused flame for tasks like soldering or cooking.
A weapon that projects a stream of burning fuel, used in warfare to attack personnel, clear vegetation, or destroy defensive positions.
Flamethrower is usually technical, military, figurative in register.
Flamethrower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪmˌθrəʊ.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪmˌθroʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a human flamethrower on the debate stage.”
- “Her sales pitch was a verbal flamethrower.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLAME + THROW + ER. A person/thing (-ER) that THROWs FLAME.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSION IS FIRE; DESTRUCTIVE ACTION IS PROJECTING FIRE; INTENSE PASSION/RHETORIC IS A FLAMETHROWER.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, calling someone a 'human flamethrower' suggests they are: