flare
B1Neutral to formal, with specific technical uses.
Definition
Meaning
A sudden bright burst of light or fire, often signalling danger or used for illumination.
A verb describing something spreading outward or becoming wider, or a noun denoting a sudden burst or outbreak of emotion, conflict, or disease.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb senses of 'flaring' (e.g., nostrils flared, trousers flared) relate to widening. The noun sense in astronomy ('solar flare') is highly technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Flare' is spelled and used identically in core meanings. Collocation 'flare up' is equally common. 'Flare gun' is the standard term; 'Very pistol' is a dated British alternative.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media in the context of 'tempers flare' or 'flare-ups' (conflict).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
flare (vi)flare up (phr v)flare (something) (vt)flare out (phr v)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flare up”
- “tempers flare”
- “send up a flare (signal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in 'flare-up' for sudden market instability or conflict.
Academic
Common in astronomy/physics ('solar flare'), medicine ('disease flare'), and social sciences ('flare-up of violence').
Everyday
Common for sudden light, signals, emotions, and widening shapes.
Technical
Astronomy (solar flare), aviation (flare landing), photography (lens flare), maritime (distress flare).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The sailors fired a distress flare.
- A sudden flare of lightning illuminated the room.
- The doctor warned of a possible flare-up of the condition.
American English
- A solar flare can disrupt communications.
- He saw the flare of the match in the darkness.
- The trousers have a noticeable flare from the knee down.
verb
British English
- His nostrils flared in disdain.
- The conflict could flare up again at any moment.
- The skirt flares slightly at the hem.
American English
- Tempers flared during the debate.
- She flared the gas jet to sterilize the tool.
- The jeans flare out at the bottom.
adjective
British English
- She wore vintage flared trousers.
- The flare gun was safely stowed.
American English
- Flared jeans came back into fashion.
- The flare pistol is standard safety equipment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The firework made a bright flare in the sky.
- He used a flare so the rescue team could see him.
- Her temper flared when she heard the news.
- The old injury can flare up in cold weather.
- Astronomers observed a massive solar flare erupting from the sun.
- The diplomat's comments caused tensions to flare in the region.
- The novel captures the brief, brilliant flare of artistic genius before its tragic extinguishing.
- Policy must address the root causes to prevent recurring flare-ups of civil unrest.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A FLARE of light is FAIR warning to be AWARE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS FIRE/HEAT ('Tempers flared'); SUDDENNESS IS A FLASH OF LIGHT ('A flare of inspiration').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'flare (up)' as 'вспышка' for clothing ('flared trousers' = 'брюки-клёш').
- Don't confuse 'flare' (signal light) with 'blinker' or 'beacon'. It's a single, often emergency, burst.
- 'Solar flare' is 'солнечная вспышка', not 'всполох'.
- The verb for nostrils widening ('flare') has no direct single-word equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He flared the candle.' (Correct: 'He lit the candle.')
- Incorrect: 'The pants have a flare.' (Correct: 'The pants are flared.')
- Confusing 'flare' (signal) with 'flashlight' (torch).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'flare' NOT typically mean 'to become wider'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both everyday speech ('tempers flared') and formal technical writing ('coronal mass ejection following a solar flare').
A 'flare' often implies a sustained, spreading brightness (like a signal flare or flared jeans), and can signal danger. A 'flash' is typically instantaneous and brief (like a camera flash or flash of lightning).
Yes, but almost exclusively in the compound form 'flared' to describe clothing that widens toward the bottom (e.g., flared jeans, flared skirt). 'Flare gun' uses the noun as a modifier.
It's a phrasal verb meaning to suddenly begin or become much stronger, more violent, or more active. It applies to fires, conflicts, emotions, and medical conditions (e.g., 'Her eczema flared up.').