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a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame.
a burning mass of material, as on a hearth or in a furnace.
the destructive burning of a building, town, forest, etc.; conflagration.
heat used for cooking, especially the lighted burner of a stove:
Put the kettle on the fire.
Greek fire.
flashing light; luminous appearance.
brilliance, as of a gem.
burning passion; excitement or enthusiasm; ardor.
liveliness of imagination.
fever or inflammation.
severe trial or trouble; ordeal.
exposure to fire as a means of torture or ordeal.
strength, as of an alcoholic beverage.
a spark or sparks.
the discharge of firearms:
enemy fire.
the effect of firing military weapons:
to pour fire upon the enemy.
British. a gas or electric heater used for heating a room.
Literary. a luminous object, as a star:
heavenly fires.
to set on fire.
to supply with fuel; attend to the fire of:
They fired the boiler.
to expose to the action of fire; subject to heat.
to apply heat to in a kiln for baking or glazing; burn.
to heat very slowly for the purpose of drying, as tea.
to inflame, as with passion; fill with ardor.
to inspire.
to light or cause to glow as if on fire.
to discharge (a gun).
to project (a bullet or the like) by or as if by discharging from a gun.
to subject to explosion or explosive force, as a mine.
to hurl; throw:
to fire a stone through a window.
to dismiss from a job.
Veterinary Medicine. to apply a heated iron to (the skin) in order to create a local inflammation of the superficial structures, with the intention of favorably affecting deeper inflammatory processes.
to drive out or away by or as by fire.
to take fire; be kindled.
to glow as if on fire.
to become inflamed with passion; become excited.
to shoot, as a gun.
to discharge a gun:
to fire at a fleeing enemy.
to hurl a projectile.
Music. to ring the bells of a chime all at once.
(of plant leaves) to turn yellow or brown before the plant matures.
(of an internal-combustion engine) to cause ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder or cylinders.
(of a nerve cell) to discharge an electric impulse.
fire away, Informal. to begin to talk and continue without slackening, as to ask a series of questions:
The reporters fired away at the president.
fire off,

to discharge (as weapons, ammunition, etc.):
Police fired off canisters of tear gas.
to write and send hurriedly:
She fired off an angry letter to her congressman.

between two fires, under physical or verbal attack from two or more sides simultaneously:
The senator is between two fires because of his stand on the bill.
build a fire under, Informal. to cause or urge to take action, make a decision quickly, or work faster:
If somebody doesn’t build a fire under that committee, it will never reach a decision.
catch fire,

Also, catch on fire. to become ignited; burn:
The sofa caught fire from a lighted cigarette.
to create enthusiasm:
His new book did not catch fire among his followers.

fight fire with fire, to use the same tactics as one’s opponent; return like for like.
go through fire and water, to brave any danger or endure any trial:
He said he would go through fire and water to win her hand.
hang fire,

to be delayed in exploding, or fail to explode.
to be undecided, postponed, or delayed:
The new housing project is hanging fire because of concerted opposition.

miss fire,

to fail to explode or discharge, as a firearm.
to fail to produce the desired effect; be unsuccessful:
He repeated the joke, but it missed fire the second time.

on fire,

ignited; burning; afire.
eager; ardent; zealous:
They were on fire to prove themselves in competition.

play with fire, to trifle with a serious or dangerous matter:
He didn’t realize that insulting the border guards was playing with fire.
set fire to,

to cause to burn; ignite.
to excite; arouse; inflame:
The painting set fire to the composer’s imagination.

Also, set on fire.
take fire,

to become ignited; burn.
to become inspired with enthusiasm or zeal:
Everyone who heard him speak immediately took fire.

under fire,

under attack, especially by military forces.
under censure or criticism:
The school administration is under fire for its policies.

noun
the state of combustion in which inflammable material burns, producing heat, flames, and often smoke

a mass of burning coal, wood, etc, used esp in a hearth to heat a room
(in combination): firewood, firelighter

a destructive conflagration, as of a forest, building, etc
a device for heating a room, etc
something resembling a fire in light or brilliance: a diamond’s fire
a flash or spark of or as if of fire

the act of discharging weapons, artillery, etc
the shells, etc, fired

a burst or rapid volley: a fire of questions
intense passion; ardour
liveliness, as of imagination, thought, etc
a burning sensation sometimes produced by drinking strong alcoholic liquor
fever and inflammation
a severe trial or torment (esp in the phrase go through fire and water)
catch fire, to ignite
draw someone’s fire, to attract the criticism or censure of someone
hang fire

to delay firing
to delay or be delayed

no smoke without fire, the evidence strongly suggests something has indeed happened
on fire

in a state of ignition
ardent or eager
(informal) playing or performing at the height of one’s abilities

open fire, to start firing a gun, artillery, etc
play with fire, to be involved in something risky
(Brit) set fire to, set on fire

to ignite
to arouse or excite

(informal) set the world on fire, (Brit) set the Thames on fire, (Scot) set the heather on fire, to cause a great sensation
under fire, being attacked, as by weapons or by harsh criticism
(modifier) (astrology) of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Compare earth (sense 10), air (sense 20), water (sense 12)
verb
to discharge (a firearm or projectile) or (of a firearm, etc) to be discharged
to detonate (an explosive charge or device) or (of such a charge or device) to be detonated
(transitive) (informal) to dismiss from employment
(transitive) (ceramics) to bake in a kiln to harden the clay, fix the glaze, etc
to kindle or be kindled; ignite
(transitive) to provide with fuel: oil fires the heating system
(intransitive) to tend a fire
(transitive) to subject to heat
(transitive) to heat slowly so as to dry
(transitive) to arouse to strong emotion
to glow or cause to glow
(intransitive) (of an internal-combustion engine) to ignite
(intransitive) (of grain) to become blotchy or yellow before maturity
(vet science) another word for cauterize
(intransitive) (Austral, informal) (of a sportsman, etc) to play well or with enthusiasm
sentence substitute
a cry to warn others of a fire
the order to begin firing a gun, artillery, etc
n.
v.

To discharge someone from a job; dismiss, usually with prejudice; can, sack (1887+)
To throw something with great force: The big left-hander fired a fastball down the middle (1910+)
To ask or utter with bluntness and vehemence: The panel fired questions at me and I soon wilted (1850s+)

fire away
fire off
fire on all cylinders
fire up